POEM (Port Of Eden Marina) secretary Rob Bain has welcomed the news that invitations to tender for the Eden wave attenuator have been issued by Transport for NSW (TfNSW).

Funds of $19m are available for the project which aims to ensure calmer waters in Snug Cove.

“Transport for NSW is inviting tenders from suitably qualified and experienced specialists for the supply and installation of a 366 metre, fixed panel wave attenuator for the Eden Safe Harbour Project,” NSW Maritime executive director Andrew Mogg said.

“The Port of Eden is a working port which supports a variety of recreational, commercial and port vessel operations on the NSW Far South Coast. However the port is exposed to significant wind and wave conditions which can affect maritime safety and increase the risk of damage to vessels moored in Snug Cove,” Mr Mogg said.

“The wave attenuator will calm wave activity in the cove, providing a safe harbour for local and visiting vessels, and protecting maritime infrastructure. Providing a safe harbour will enhance Eden’s reputation as a safe boating destination and an attractive destination for cruise ships which will stimulate local investment in the maritime and tourism sectors,” Mr Mogg added.

POEM also hopes it will provoke interest in a marina development behind the attenuator.

“This is a very welcome development for Snug Cove and, hopefully, is the first step towards a marina based recreational boat industry in Eden,” Dr Bain said.

“As soon as tenders are locked down we need to start thinking about marina berths and talking to people about marina development,” Dr Bain said.

“Batemans Bay and Bermagui marinas are doing really well. They are both full and have waiting lists,” he said.

Previous attentuator construction talks with Waterways, which built the wharf extension, ended badly after the quote came in at around $30m rather than the $19m allocated for the project. However this time the parameters have changed and whole of life maintenance costs will not be included.

The contracting model is a construct only contract whereby the successful tenderer will be required to construct the wave attenuator in accordance with the TfNSW supplied detailed design.

“The design was developed based on extensive site-specific wave data, weather history, environmental and geotechnical conditions plus ship and vessel simulations. The project has also involved extensive stakeholder consultation which considered varying design options within the $19 million budget,” Mr Mogg said.

Dr Bain said he had been told by TfNSW that there had already been a few enquiries about the tender which closes on December 11. He said he was confident that it could be done within the $19m budget.

Mr Mogg said the NSW government was working to improve port infrastructure to support further economic development of Eden as a maritime tourism hub along the Sapphire Coast.

“Once built, the attenuator will be owned and maintained by Transport for NSW on behalf of the NSW community.”

NOTE: Tenders close 11 December 2020 at 2.30pm at:
https://www.tenders.nsw.gov.au/rms/?event=public.rft.show&RFTUUID=CA6BF3AC-C50B-B38D-B46864A4DFF98E90

This media release also appeared as an article in the Eden Magnet on 26 October 2020