Ettalong Channel dredging

The recent dredging of the Ettalong Channel has successfully cleared approximately 30,000 cubic metres of sand, ensuring safe and reliable navigation for recreational boaters and the Palm Beach to Ettalong ferry service.

We’re pleased to announce that regular ferry operations will resume on Saturday, 14 June 2025 and the temporary shuttle ferry and bus service will finish up.

Transport for NSW will commence dredging the Ettalong channel in the coming weeks (subject to weather). For this dredging campaign four locations along the channel will be dredged with additional dredging near Lobster Bay. We aim to remove about 30,000 cubic metres of sand this campaign which should take about four weeks to finish.

As a result of recent sand build-up in the channel following recent swell events, Palm Beach to Ettalong & Wagstaffe ferry services have now been diverted to Patonga.

A diversion timetable to Patonga is now in place, from 9 May a free alternative transport service commenced and will be in place, until the dredging work is finished. We will advise when normal services resume.

Alternative transport arrangements 

• A free shuttle ferry service between Wagstaffe and Ettalong for passengers to meet the free shuttle bus at Ettalong. 
• A free shuttle bus service, between Ettalong and Patonga, to meet the Palm Beach to Patonga ferries.  
• The shuttle bus will leave approximately 30 minutes prior to the Palm Beach ferry departure from Patonga Wharf 
• See timetable (PDF, 109.95 KB) for more details (subject to change) 

A community update with detailed information about this dredging campaign will be published in the coming days. For more information, please contact us via email dredging@transport.nsw.gov.au

The Palm Beach to Ettalong ferry will resume regular service from Monday 16 October.

Recent dredging of the Ettalong Channel successfully removed approximately 29,300 cubic metres of sand from the channel to provide a safe navigation route for the ferry, allowing passengers to get back on board ahead of the busy summer season.

With the return of services to Ettalong and Wagstaffe wharfs, the temporary free shuttle ferry and bus services to Patonga Wharf will no longer be required and will cease service from Monday 16th October.

To plan your journey, visit transportnsw.info

The Ettalong Channel maintenance dredging project has now been completed with about 29,300 cubic metres of sand removed from the channel.  

The areas we dredged focused on three main sections of the channel which were identified as a priority for the project. Two near Half Tide Rocks and one near the entrance. Boaters may still encounter varying depth and width along the length of the channel.  

Navigational aids will be relocated shortly to mark the channel, however safe navigation is ultimately the responsibility of vessel masters, taking into account a range of factors including the size of the vessel, weather, tides, water depths and speed at which they travel. 

We are continuing to discuss with the Palm Beach Ferry operators as to when services will resume, until then our free shuttle services are still operating. 

Dredging in the Ettalong channel has progressed well, with approximately 4000 cubic metres of sand removed from the channel since work started.

Recent swell conditions have caused damage to the dredge arm of the Faucon vessel. To complete the work as quickly as possible the Faucon will be replaced by the Port Frederick, a larger dredging vessel and weather permitting dredging work will be completed as planned.

Transport for NSW has started dredging in the Ettalong channel.

Work hours for this dredging project are 5am to 10pm each day, this is due to the size of the dredging vessel being used, tides and weather may impact out dredging activities.

The environmental approval (PDF, 22.91 MB) and latest community update (PDF, 1.67 MB) are now available.

Navigational changes are in place with a Marine Notice issued for the dredging work. We ask you to keep well clear of the dredging work area.

We will keep you updated on the progress of the work.

All environmental approvals, licences and permits have now been obtained for dredging to start in the Ettalong Channel.

McQuade Marine has been engaged to carry out the dredging work and is currently travelling from Queensland with the large dredging vessel, which is expected to be here later this week.

Work will remove up to 30,000 cubic metres of sand from Ettalong Channel and will take about a month to complete, weather permitting.

Navigational changes are in place with a Marine Notice issued for the dredging work. We ask you to keep well clear of the dredging work area.

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Ettalong dredging poster map

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Transport for NSW is planning to dredge the Ettalong Channel in August.

 

We are working towards obtaining the necessary approvals, including a Crown Lands licence to remove up to 30,000m3 of sand.

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Areas to be dredged in August

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As a result of recent sand build-up in the channel, Ettalong ferry services have been suspended with these services terminating at Patonga Wharf.

Alternative transport arrangements

• a free shuttle bus service, between Ettalong and Patonga, to meet the Palm Beach ferries. View the timetable (PDF, 78.35 KB)
• the shuttle bus will leave approximately 30 minutes prior to the Palm Beach ferry departure from Patonga Wharf
• from Monday 10 July a free shuttle ferry service between Wagstaffe and Ettalong for passengers to meet the free shuttle bus at Ettalong. View the timetable (PDF, 689.28 KB).

We thank passengers for their patience and encourage them to allow extra travel time for their journeys.  

 

For the latest information go to transportnsw.info

The NSW Coastal Dredging Strategy has identified this channel as a significant investment location, prioritising it for dredging to ensure safe navigation including for the use of local ferry services.

Transport carried out maintenance dredging work this year removing up about 30,000m3 from five main sections of the channel.

We are currently working on environmental approvals and licenses, for a 10-year maintenance dredging plan of the Ettalong Channel.

Future dredging campaigns will be subject to funding availability.

• We have completed the maintenance dredging project for 2025. 
• We are currently working on environmental approvals and licences for a 10-year dredging plan of Ettalong Channel. 

• Ettalong Channel Dredging Community Update - August 2023 (PDF, 1.67 MB)

Ettalong Channel Dredging 2023 Minor works review of environmental factors (PDF, 22.91 MB)