News archive - Coffs Harbour Regional Boat Ramp

Cutter Suction Dredge (CSD) Operations

The floating Cutter Suction Dredge (CSD) will be onsite and operate occasionally in areas with sand build-up, particularly along the western side of the breakwall. There will be no disruption to public use of the boat ramp while the CSD is in operation.

Regular Sand Pump Operations

Sand pumps will continue to operate regularly as needed, addressing sand accumulation in the navigational channel.

Rock Groyne

The new groyne is assisting to direct sand towards the sand pumps. We will continue to monitor the performance of the sand management system in varying weather conditions.

Breakwall

The end of the eastern breakwall has been raised to hopefully reduce the refracting wave action entering the channel as it wraps around the breakwall. It is hoped that this will slow or prevent the buildup of sand along the eastern side of the channel against the breakwall.

Gallows Beach Pipeline

The temporary Gallows sand pipeline has been installed allowing sand to be pumped direct to the northern corner of Gallows Beach.

System Review

The 12 month trial of the sand pumping system has concluded. The system will continue to operate under the current arrangements while a review of the trial is completed and a decision is made on the future sand management for the area.

As part of the Transport NSW plan to manage sand build-up in the channel dredging operations will continue on site in the coming weeks and run alongside the Sand Pump Operations to maintain channel depth. This is due extremely low tides, and weather conditions causing rapid sand buildup. There will be minimal disruption to public use of the boat ramp while the dredging is in operation.

We will have Boating Safety Officers and variable messaging signs in the area over the next couple of weeks providing advice to boaters using the boat ramp to ensure the safety of all waterway users.

Be mindful of where the cutter suction vessel and/or the long reach excavator is and ensure you stay well clear when it is operating.

We recommend that skippers plan their trips to avoid having to access the channel and boat ramp at low tide due to sand build up. Boaters are reminded of their responsibility to assess conditions before negotiating any marine channel.

You can access a copy of the latest hydrographic map of the boat ramp channel and harbour showing depths in the area under Reports below on this page. Please be aware conditions are very dynamic and can change rapidly.

Transport for NSW is monitoring the trial's progress and making necessary adjustments to optimise the pumping system's performance, taking into account the dynamic nature of wave and weather patterns affecting sand movement at the Coffs Harbour Regional Boat Ramp.

 

Here's what you can expect throughout the coming weeks as we continue to enhance the sand management trial:

 

Cutter Suction Dredge (CSD) Operations

The floating Cutter Suction Dredge (CSD) will operate occasionally in areas with sand build-up, particularly along the western side of the breakwall. There will be no disruption to public use of the boat ramp while the CSD is in operation.

 

Regular Sand Pump Operations

Sand pumps will continue to operate regularly, generally once a month or as needed, addressing sand accumulation in the navigational channel. An additional sand pump will be installed to capture sand bypassing the current system. 

 

Groyne Construction

To further optimise sand redirection, a small groyne (rock wall) was constructed west of the channel last month (see image below). This groyne will direct bypassing sand towards the sand pump system, contributing to more efficient sand management.

 

Improved Visibility with Camera Relocation

We are relocating the boat ramp camera to a position on the breakwall, providing users with an enhanced view of the channel, boat ramp, and carpark areas. This strategic repositioning aims to offer a better perspective for users monitoring the activities around the boat ramp.

 

We are committed to refining our sand management strategies and thank the community for their patience as we continue to make progress in optimising the sand management trial at Coffs Harbour Regional Boat Ramp.

The transformation of Coffs Harbour regional boat ramp is complete, with Transport for NSW opening the upgraded carpark and facilities.

Over the past twelve months, Transport for NSW Maritime has been working hard to ensure construction was completed in time for the holidays.

The community can now enjoy a more spacious carpark, new toilet block, upgraded cleaning tables, and a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists. 

Finishing touches to landscaping, handrails, line marking, stormwater and pedestrian access (refuge) will continue into February.

These upgrades show Transport for NSW is listening to the community, providing more facilities and improved parking access for one of the busiest boat ramps in the state.

In April 2023, four jet pumps were installed as part of Transport’s Coffs Harbour Sand Management Plan.

These pumps are regularly in operation, typically on a monthly basis. However, they have been operating more frequently to address the increased sand accumulation caused by recent weather.

 

The rock wall (groyne) is being built to the west of the boat ramp channel. This groyne will direct sand towards the existing jet pumps and prevent sand from entering the inner boat ramp area.

 

Mobile plant, trucks and machinery will be on site, and the boat ramp and channel will remain open.

Installation of the groyne is expected to be completed prior to the long weekend, weather and maritime conditions permitting.

The construction of the groyne is part of the scope and budget of the sand management trial.  The trial is expected to operate until mid-2025 and will help to inform a long-term strategy.

Jordan Esplanade eastern works are now complete, and the shared path is now in place connecting the boat ramp to the southern breakwall. Additional sections of path will open in the coming weeks around the southern side of the carpark, and most of the landscaping and planting in these areas is also complete.

The main boat ramp carpark is closed however, it will not impact use of the boat ramp, which will remain accessible throughout this time. Access may change from time to time to accommodate the works and we will provide updates via this website and stakeholder communications.

Works have also commenced in the amenities block area with the installation of the rising sewer main, and installation of electrical services for new lighting throughout the western end of the project.   

Overflow and alternate trailer parking has been established and will remain open throughout the construction of the boat ramp carpark (click here to view map (PDF, 354.48 KB)). 

The cleaning table has been relocated and reinstalled adjacent to the boat ramp and is fully operational. Please keep this clean and use the bins provided for waste. The cleaning table will continue to be maintained by Coffs Harbour City Council.

Recent weather conditions caused an unexpected and sudden build-up of sand in the channel in late October, which was causing navigation difficulties during low tide. The situation is now resolved (see latest Hydrographic Survey on this page below.

See our Sand Management page for more details.

 

Jordan Esplanade eastern works are almost complete and the footpath now in place connecting the boat ramp to the southern breakwall. 

From Wednesday 4 October, Jordan Esplanade will be re-opened, and the main boat ramp carpark will be closed for the Stage 2 upgrade. This will not impact use of the boat ramp, which will remain accessible throughout this time. 

Overflow trailer parking has been established and will remain open throughout construction. We have allowed for vehicular and trailer access to the boat ramp during the car park work (see map for details). We expect the car park work to be finished and reopened in December 2023, weather permitting.

Corflute signs are visible in various locations to direct boaters to the overflow parking including pedestrian access.

The larger cleaning table will be temporarily relocated and reinstalled adjacent to the boat ramp. Aside from relocation during the boat ramp works, the cleaning tables are normally (and will continue to be) maintained by Coffs Harbour City Council. 

Stage 2 works include:

• extending the existing main carpark to include additional parking for cars, boats and trailers
• new carpark entrance at the western end of the carpark
• blocking the entry adjacent to the boat ramp off Jordan Esplanade (for safety reasons)
• diverting traffic along Jordan Esplanade road opposite the main carpark
• new road signage
• new rigging and de-rigging bays around the main carpark
• a new shared pathway (2.5m) for walking/cycling
• new amenities facility
• new Lighting and signage
• recreational furniture including seating and tables
• pedestrian pathway on south side of Jordan Esplanade with access to Gallows beach carpark and to amenities facility in the main carpark area
• landscaping
• extending services, including water, power and sewerage.

Work onsite is continuing at a steady pace, as the final adjustments are made to Jordan Esplanade and the footpaths are completed. We will soon be ready to reopen the road and start work on the main car park. Please see our 4 week look-ahead (PDF, 485.19 KB) to see the work that will be happening in September and keep an eye on this site for exact dates.

The Boat Ramp webcam has been upgraded to the latest technology and reinstalled. You can view its live feed here.

In a few weeks, the cleaning tables will be closed due to our work in the area and the larger table will be temporarily relocated and reinstalled. Aside from their relocation during the boat ramp works, these tables are normally (and will continue to be) maintained by Coffs Harbour City Council.

Work on Stage 2 of the Boat Ramp began on 16 January 2023. The diagram below indicates changes you will be seeing over the next four weeks.

Note that the Western Gallows Beach car par entrance will be temporarily closed for drainage work between 18 January and 18 February. Another site compound (for stage 2) will be established in the green area on the diagram above.

Please take extra care when in the area, noting that the boat ramp itself will remain open throughout construction.

The boat ramp channel is currently clear, with an average depth of between 1.5m & 2.5m across the channel. As such, TfNSW has stood down the Cutter Suction Dredge, which will remain moored in the harbour until it is needed again. This means that it will not be operating in the week of 22 January as previously planned, but the channel will be monitored daily and if required, the dredge can recommence operations to ensure the channel is kept clear. The Cutter Suction Dredge will recommence operations from 30 January.

The most recent hydrographic map is below.

As part of the Transport NSW plan to manage the sand build-up in the channel, dredging has continued at the Boat Ramp. Over the next few weeks, we will dredge using an excavator on a barge in the water. 

Half the boat ramp will close on 22 December to allow the barge and excavator to be floated and will remain open during dredging.

Dredging operations will take place over the next four weeks as scheduled below:

• 22 December - 24 December
• 27 December - 30 December
• 2 January - 6 January 2023

Half the boat ramp will close on 6 January to allow the barge and excavator to be demobilised and open immediately after. 

From 9 January our current cutter suction dredge will return to maintain dredging throughout the new year.

These actions will allow us to ensure the boat ramp remains accessible throughout the peak holiday period.

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The storage position for the dredge barge while not in use

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Trial of a sand-pumping system

In November Transport for NSW started planning for trial of a sand-pumping system. The trial is targeting an installation and commissioning date for all specialist equipment as early as March 2023.

This will see sand pumped out of the channel by a series of pumps and pipelines to the sand storage area nearby. It is a trial system to assess its effectiveness, so results will depend on how the trial goes, but if successful, it could see an automatic removal of sand on a permanent basis. 

Stage 2 work

Stage 2 work on the boat ramp (the car park, amenities, and road works) will begin on 16 January 2023. From 5 February onward sections of the carpark may be closed to facilitate equipment storage and a site compound.

In preparation for construction the fish cleaning tables and washdown areas will be temporarily relocated. 

We anticipate the main car park will close in mid-2023. We are currently assessing options for alternate parking sites and will share information as soon as it’s available.

 

Transport for NSW has been working hard to find options for the sand build-up at the Boat Ramp. Today we release our Sand Management Plan which details our strategy for managing this sand build-up. You can find the plan under “Reports” in the Documents section below.

We will continue to provide regular hydrographic maps of the boat ramp channel and harbour showing depths in the area. In addition to this, the live webcam vision at the Coffs Harbour Boat Ramp is on site and continues to provide members of the community a live feed of the coastal conditions, to help boaters and skippers prepare for a safe trip.

If you do have any specific questions about the Coffs Harbour Boat Ramp or Sand Management or you can call (1300 778 928) or email us at coffsboatramp@transport.nsw.gov.au and we will respond as soon as possible.

The cutter suction dredge has started dredging today to maintain channel depth at the boat harbour and will continue to clear the channel.

We have Boating Safety Officers on site providing advice to boaters using the boat ramp to ensure the safety of all waterway users.

Be mindful of where the cutter suction vessel is and ensure you stay well clear when it is operating.

We recommend that skippers do not attempt to access the channel and boat ramp at low tide due to sand build up.

Boaters are reminded of their responsibility to assess conditions before negotiating any marine channel.

As part of the Transport NSW plan to manage the sand build-up in the channel, cutter suction dredging will recommence from Friday 11 November 2022. This activity is scheduled for four weeks, so will conclude around 9 December. Please take care in the area and look out for the dredging barge on the water.

This is the latest hydrographic map of the boat ramp channel and harbour showing depths in the area.

Note that this survey was taken on 27 October 2022. Note that seabed conditions could change rapidly due to waves and currents. Extreme caution should be used when navigating the boat ramp entrance area.

You can download our latest hydrographic surveys in Project Documents on this page or by clicking on this latest news image.

Transport for NSW has secured a cutter-suction dredge which will increase the amount of sand we are able to dredge from the boat harbour channel.

We will close half of the boat ramp on 22 September to allow for the dredge barge to be assembled. Cutter-suction dredging will start after this and continue until Friday 30 September. The boat ramp will remain open throughout the works, however we will close half the boat ramp on Saturday 1 October to allow the barge to be disassembled.

During cutter-suction dredging land-based dredging will stop with further dredging planned later in October.

Please take extra care in the area during this period.

Stage One of the Coffs Harbour boat ramp project is now complete. This stage has delivered an additional two lanes to the boat ramp and two new pontoons.

Transport for NSW remains committed to keeping the boat ramp open. Dredging by a land-based excavator is continuing, while a cutter suction dredge has been sourced and is due to commence work in September.

We have engaged a consultant to provide options to manage sand migration at the boat ramp in the long term. This may include further structural work to the newly-extended breakwater or additional structures. When decided, the community will be informed of the plans via a Review of Environmental Factors.

We have also sourced funding to commence a sand transfer system trial at the boat ramp. We are currently in negotiation with a supplier to provide a concept design for this system. This system will use fixed jet pumps to dredge sand from the area.

Stage Two of the upgrade work is due to commence shortly. We are currently finalising details with the preferred contractor. This work includes a realignment of Jordan Esplanade to provide extra spaces in the car park, a new amenities block and new rigging and derigging bays.