Fish friendly breakwater maintenance

Why is the project important?

Breakwaters and training walls are large structures built of rock or concrete and positioned in the coastal zone.

They are important for NSW coastal communities as they help to:

• control where and how rivers meet the sea
• create harbours, marinas and safe ports
• protect some foreshores from erosion.

Many NSW breakwaters are more than 100 years old. Their original design did not consider environmental impacts.

Updating maintenance practices ensures infrastructure continues to deliver value while supporting environmental and community outcomes.

What did we do?

We developed the Fish Friendly Breakwater Maintenance Guidelines (PDF, 6128.89 KB) to maximise the benefits of existing coastal infrastructure. This work included:

• reviewing multi-use and eco-engineering features (PDF, 3187.56 KB) for trained river entrances, armoured harbours and groynes
• auditing coastal breakwater infrastructure along the NSW coast, with reports for the north (PDF, 17458.66 KB), central (PDF, 14906.86 KB) and (south  PDF, 9566.23 KB) regions, plus a statewide summary (PDF, 5900.43 KB)
• hosting a practitioner workshop to share knowledge and gather input.

What did we achieve?

We published the results of our completed project in a scientific paper and presented them at the International Conference on Coastal Engineering in Sydney in 2022.

The guidelines were used when the Dunbogan Breakwater was upgraded, and a sealed crest now improves access for all users.

They have also informed maintenance designs at Port Macquarie and Nambucca Heads, although these works have not yet commenced.

Evidence from the project is supporting the MEMS project on Breakwater governance and management.

Some of the documents developed as part of this project.

Please send an email to patrick.dwyer@dpird.nsw.gov.au to ask for any of the following documents in a different format.

• Workshop on multi-use and eco-features for breakwater maintenance and upgrade works Report 10 March 2020 (PDF, 2816.8 KB)
• A review of multi-use and eco-engineering features for trained river entrances, armoured harbours and groynes (PDF, 3187.56 KB)
• Breakwater maintenance and upgrades: multi-use and eco-features, guidance for asset owners, designers and project managers (PDF, 6128.89 KB)
• An audit of trained river entrances, armoured harbours and groynes and their multi-use and eco-features in NSW Summary Report (PDF, 5900.43 KB)
• An audit of trained river entrances, armoured harbours and groynes and their multi-use and eco-features in NSW: Queensland border to Stockton (vol 1) (PDF, 17458.66 KB)
• An audit of trained river entrances, armoured harbours and groynes and their multi-use and eco-features in NSW: Stockton to Shellharbour (vol 2) PDF, 14906.86 KB
• An audit of trained river entrances, armoured harbours and groynes and their multi-use and eco-features in NSW: Shellharbour to Victorian border (vol 3) (PDF, 9566.23 KB)

Statewide

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Fisheries

• Southern Cross University
• Transport for NSW
• Crown Lands
• GHD

Please send an email to patrick.dwyer@dpi.nsw.gov.au to ask for any of the following documents in a different format.

• Workshop on multi-use and eco-features for breakwater maintenance and upgrade works Report 10 March 2020 (PDF, 2816.8 KB)
• A review of multi-use and eco-engineering features for trained river entrances, armoured harbours and groynes (PDF, 3187.56 KB)
• Breakwater maintenance and upgrades: multi-use and eco-features, guidance for asset owners, designers and project managers (PDF, 6128.89 KB)
• An audit of trained river entrances, armoured harbours and groynes and their multi-use and eco-features in NSW Summary Report (PDF, 5900.43 KB)
• An audit of trained river entrances, armoured harbours and groynes and their multi-use and eco-features in NSW: Queensland border to Stockton (vol 1) (PDF, 17458.66 KB)
• An audit of trained river entrances, armoured harbours and groynes and their multi-use and eco-features in NSW: Stockton to Shellharbour (vol 2) PDF, 14906.86 KB
• An audit of trained river entrances, armoured harbours and groynes and their multi-use and eco-features in NSW: Shellharbour to Victorian border (vol 3) (PDF, 9566.23 KB)