Concrete slabs washed away from Dundee Beach boat ramp upgrades

Wild seas have set back construction at the $12m Dundee boat ramp upgrades. Here’s what we know.

Wild weather has caused havoc at the new Dundee Beach boat ramp upgrades. Picture: Supplied.

Large concrete slabs washed away by wild weather have caused weeks-long construction delays and an unknown damage bill at the new Dundee boat ramp.

A $12.44m project to upgrade the boat ramp has been set back by about six weeks after strong seas displaced part of a planned fishing platform over the weekend, leaving wreckage strewn across the nearby sand.

Once complete, the platform will offer fishos an accessible land-based option to wet a line at the popular fishing spot.

Designs of the land-based fishing platform at the Dundee Beach boat ramp, from which large concrete slabs washed away. Picture: Supplied.

The Department of Logistics and Infrastructure said it was continuing to investigate the incident, which was caused by high tides and large, sustained ocean swells eventually overwhelming the incomplete structure and resulting in the damage.

“The new platform has been designed to meet Category 4 storm events once constructed, however during construction, incomplete works are more vulnerable to severe weather, including tide/swell related events and the accuracy of weather forecasts and ever-changing weather conditions,” a department spokesman said.

“Cost of the damage won’t be known until engineers have assessed the damage and remedial works.”

Under the department’s policy it is a contractual requirement that all contractors have full insurance coverage.

Local business Advance Civil Engineering was contracted for the project, and it was estimated works would be pushed back to March while the business fabricated replacement panels.

Construction on the upgrades commenced in September and was about 60 per cent complete.

“Works on the new walkway jetty adjacent to the boat ramp were not impacted and continue to progress on site,” the DIL spokesman said.

The boat ramp was also unaffected and remains open to public use.

Wild weather has caused havoc at the new Dundee Beach boat ramp upgrades. Picture: Supplied.

Deputy Opposition Leader and local member Dheran Young said the damage was “a major let-down” for Dundee Beach residents and the broader community.

“The former Territory Labor Government invested more than $12m into this boat ramp as part of significant ongoing investment into recreational fishing infrastructure,” he said.

“The ramp is still under construction however I would strongly suggest the department needs to investigate what has gone wrong here so construction can get back on track as quickly as possible, ensuring the design is appropriate for the conditions.”

Recreational Fishing Minister Gerard Maley did not respond to request for comment.

Advance Civil Engineering declined to comment.

Dundee boat ramp upgrades washed away in wild weather

January 20: Wild weather has left the area around the Dundee Beach boat ramp worse for wear as several large concrete slabs washed away from the construction site at the weekend.

Locals said the ramp itself was unharmed, with the slabs coming from a planned sea wall or fishing platform.

Wild weather has caused havoc at the new Dundee Beach boat ramp upgrades. Picture: Supplied.

Wild weather has caused havoc at the new Dundee Beach boat ramp upgrades. Picture: Supplied.

Last year’s budget allocated $12.44m to upgrade the boat ramp area, including a boat ramp jetty, a footpath to an accessible fishing platform, and re-armouring of the groyne.

Construction started in September and was expected to take six months to complete.

Designs of the $12.44m upgrades to the Dundee Beach boat ramp. Picture: Supplied.

One local said the wild weather conditions were entirely predictable.

“This time of year they should’ve known that once the wild westerlies come you get some strong swells over that wall,” he said.

“It’s exactly the same as last year.”

He said the slabs had recently been installed in place before rough seas knocked them out over the weekend.

“The ramp’s fine, but it looks like they’re having a bit of trouble putting the rock wall in place,” he said.

“They were only in there as a temporary part of the construction but clearly didn’t last very long.”

The NT Government has been contacted for comment.