The State Government’s long-held vision of making Onslow a key hub for servicing the offshore oil and gas industry off the Pilbara coast is now a reality with the $4.4 million upgrade to the breakwater at Beadon Creek completed one month ahead of schedule.
The project completes a seven-year phased works program at the Onslow (Beadon Creek) Maritime Facility by the Department of Transport (DoT), working closely with private sector operator Onslow Marine Support Base (OMSB) for the final stages.
In April, Western Australia based company Ertech was contracted to rebuild the ageing breakwater at Beadon Creek, as OMSB continued a dredging campaign to increase the width and depth of the existing navigation channel to allow berthing of larger offshore marine supply and service vessels.
The 730-metre breakwater, first constructed more than 50 years ago, has been refurbished above and below the waterline with around 25,000 tonnes of rock added to the structure. The breakwater upgrade was jointly funded with DoT providing $2.75 million and OMSB $1.65 million.
OMSB completed the channel dredging and installation of new navigation aids last month.
In 2017 DoT completed a $2.5 million five stage infrastructure upgrade focused on the southern part of the facility and included resealing works, the construction of a DoT harbour office and implementation of CCTV followed by the relocation of overhead power to underground and improvements making vehicle and truck movements safer.
More information can be found at https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/beadoncreek
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“The completion of the breakwater provides the necessary infrastructure for Onslow to be a key marine hub along the WA coast, generating significant opportunities and ongoing financial support for the local economy.
“Working collaboratively with the private sector in OMSB, DoT has been able to deliver improvements and protection to the new channel, that will not only boost activities associated with the offshore marine service industry in the Pilbara, but also benefit fishing and charter vessels and recreational craft using the facility.
“As manager of the Onslow (Beadon Creek) Maritime Facility, DoT will continue to work closely with the private sector, the Shire of Ashburton and the local community to deliver further improvements to the maritime facilities at Beadon Creek.”
