Posted on December 6, 2018
AFTER sustaining heavy damage caused by the devastation of Cyclone Debbie, the Port of Mackay’s Southern Breakwater is set to reopen.
Investigations after the March 2017 disaster revealed significant damage to all three breakwaters at the marina-based terminal, however, the $14 million repairs to all have now been complete.
While North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) had worked to ensure pedestrian and cycling access was still available throughout the restoration phase of the Southern Breakwater, vehicles will be able to utilise the repaired Port for the first time since the damage was sustained from this Friday morning.
NQBP Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Fertin said he was pleased to report the completion of the repairs, however he has implored they did not guarantee the breakwater was “cyclone proof.”
“Unfortunately, while it may only take a day for a cyclone to cause damage, it can take more than a year to rebuild,” Mr Fertin said.
“The breakwater’s primary function is to provide a level of protection to the Port and marina.
“Unfortunately, due to the fierce and unpredictable nature of tropical cyclones, with sometimes forces that are above the original design of our infrastructure, we will continue to plan for maintenance and repairs to all our breakwaters for many years to come.”
More than 100,000 tonnes of locally supplied rock was placed onto all three breakwaters.
Source: Daily Mercury
