Posted on May 28, 2025
Transport for NSW is part of multi-agency joint initiative that will provide reliable, safe and navigable access to Lake Macquarie.
May 2025 – Stage 3 maintenance dredging
Dredging in the Swansea Channel will begin in the coming weeks (subject to weather conditions) with the NSW Government continuing its commitment to maintaining safe and accessible waterways in the Swansea Channel.
Dredging activities will concentrate on the Dog Leg section of the channel (see map), with an estimated 10,000 cubic metres of material to be removed during Stage 3. The scope of our work will include:
- establishing a temporary work site at the following locations: Elizabeth Island, Rathmines Boat Ramp, Naru Point and on water
- installing environmental controls and a work area on Elizabeth Island to pump dredge sand to this location
- the dredging operation itself
- demobilising equipment and restoring the temporary work areas when dredging is finished.
For safety reasons, please stay away from the dredging work area shown on the map. Our dredging vessel is using underwater pipes to move sand to Elizabeth Island. Since the vessel moves daily, the submerged pipes also shift. These pipes may not always be visible, so we urge all vessel operators in the area to be extra cautious or use the alternative Airforce Channel during our work.
For more information on this work read our latest community update (PDF, 672.37 KB).
