THE NSW Government called for tenders yesterday to dredge Swansea Channel, almost a year after boat owners raised concerns that the channel was shoaling up again.
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The Herald reported in October last year that large-keeled yachts were having trouble navigating the channel a year after $1.5 million was spent dredging it.
The problem has worsened since then.
The latest NSW Maritime hydrographic survey shows that the channel is as shallow as a metre in some areas and less than 2.5 metres in many others.
Boat owners have been pushing the NSW Government for years to pledge money for a long-term maintenance plan in which dredging would begin when the channel hit a trigger point of 2.5 metres.
Lands Minister Tony Kelly has called for expressions of interest for dredging in the channel but did not mention financing a long-term plan.
"Isolated sand shoals have gradually developed within Swansea Channel and are impacting on recreational vessels, particularly in the upper reaches between Pelican and Marks Point," Mr Kelly said.
Swansea MP Robert Coombs said the tender would lead to work that ensured safe navigation.
The Lands Department wants a contractor to dredge sand from shallow channel sections and place it in deeper areas to make it navigable.
The department's tender document said it was testing the market for equipment capable of doing the work.
The document said 5000 to 12,000 cubic metres of sand would need to be dredged.
Boat Owners Association of NSW Hunter secretary David Johnston said he was sceptical about the plan, given the NSW Government's record.
"I don't trust them as far as I can throw them," Mr Johnston said.
Mr Johnston said the Lands Department had been provided with a long-term maintenance plan for Swansea Channel, but department officials told him no money was available to finance it.
Expressions of interest will close on August 18.
