Work will start on the $6.73million upgrade of Coffs Harbour’s northern breakwall on Monday.
Access to the breakwater will be closed for 12-months from June 14, with alternate access to Muttonbird Island available along the marina boardwalk.
Haslin Constructions is undertaking the work, which will see the breakwater widened near the entry to the harbour.
A rock berm or shelf will be overlain by 12-tonne concrete armour hanbars along the 300 metre section protecting the marina.
The office of Member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser and the Department of Primary Industries has advised that trees along the entry to the harbour will be removed from Monday.
Entry to the harbour will be restricted to one lane for up to six weeks.
Rock delivery to widen the breakwater over the first 140metre section starts from June 16.
Up to six trucks are expected an hour with the initial widening works to take up to six weeks to be completed.
Placement of rock will continue along the edge of the breakwater until the end of October, while placement of the hanbars will happen from September to February with the project expected to be complete by April next year.
The work involves placement of 55,000 tonnes of rock and 1400 concrete hanbars.
An artist’s impression released by the Department of Primary Industries today of what the upgraded Northern Breakwall will look like once completed next year.
Mr Fraser said the works will reduce the frequency of wave overtopping and potential damage to property and infrastructure located behind the wall.
Views to the ocean will not be impacted by the final arrangement of the concrete handbars along the crest, he said.
“The crest of the walkway will be raised to allow extensive views to the north, and preserving amenity and access to Mutton Bird Island,” Mr Fraser said.
“An extension of the marina boardwalk was completed late last year and will maintain pedestrian access to Mutton Bird Island while the works are being completed.
“This important project is the result of about three years of engineering investigation and collaboration between Department of Primary Industries – Lands and key stakeholders. It was subject to extensive environmental assessment and survey of marine flora and fauna.
“The discovery of the critically endangered marine brown alga Nereia lophocladia in areas of the seabed near the breakwater resulted in modifications being made to the design to reduce potential impacts on this species.
“This is a fantastic outcome for the environment and was made possible by the collaborative work between DPI – Lands and DPI – Fisheries.
Regular updates on work progress will be provided to harbour stakeholders and the community.