Change to Existing Approval - OPW11/0116.01

     2.   Progress of Works

The Noosa River Spit Erosion Protection project commenced in August 2011, immediately after the DEEDI dredging
exclusion period.   Unfortunately, while clearing of the dead trees along the foreshore was essentially completed ready for
works to commence, technical difficulties encountered with dredging resulted in the need to retender the project to an
altemate contractor. Works were restricted by availability of suitable contractors and Hall Contracting did not commence
works on site until late January (primarily due to a last-minute emergency request that the dredger continue works at
Mooloolaba entrance to ensure safe navigation in this location). Despite a contract period of 20 weeks, Halls had anticipated
that the works could be completed prior to the 1 st June (the start of the DEEDI dredging exclusion period).        Unfortunately,
since the works were being undertaken in summer rather than the more desirable winter months, the project has been
delayed by extended periods of heavy rains which have resulted in high turbidity and inadequate visibility for divers to safely
continue works.


Early productivities were lower than anticipated due to timber blockages, operational methodologies adopted by the
contractor and poor weather conditions.     Recent changes to operational methodology has resulted in significant
improvements to productivity.

At this stage, regardless of recent improvements in productivity, progress on the project is such that it is very unlikely that the
works can be completed prior to the DEEDI 1st June deadline.



     3.   Proposed Permit Amendments

Suspending works on 1st June for two months introduces significant extra costs for Sunshine Coast Regional Council in
terms of re-establishment / downtime during this period as well as the loss of state funding if the works are not complete prior
to 30th June. Preliminary indications are that these costs could be of the order of $600,000 to the project. It is also possible
that the dredger may commence other projects during this period, in which case availability to return to the site could be
restricted. As a resu~, altemate scenarios have been considered to mitigate these costs / risks.


Taken into consideration during this process was advice from the contractor regarding the remaining works. Specifically,
while they believe that the wall at the end of Noosa River Spit could potentially be constructed as designed and approved,
they have a few concerns with regards to risk of construction of this portion of the works. Primarily, these concems include:

     .
          Higher volume of timber closer to the bank will likely result in increased number of blockages (and delays).
     .
          Higher currents may result in flatter batter slopes, which increases the risk of undermining of vegetation (including
          mangroves).
     .
          Higher currents introduces greater operational difficulty in laying out and filling containers.

To complete the works, the following scenario is considered to be the best option:


     .    Extend available time for the works
               o   Restrictions for dredging on DEED I permit may be amended so that works can continue without undue
                   impact on fish breeding / spawning.
               o   Extend DERM permits so that works can be completed regardless of future delays.
     .    Amend design to incorporate a section of rock wall at the end of Noosa R Spit (reducing contractor concerns which
          could result in further delays to works and enabling construction to proceed in two locations concurrently,
          enhancing the programme).

The contractor estimates that the works could successfully be completed by the end of June with the incorporation of the
rock component of the works. This incoroporates some float associated with standard matinenance and delays due to minor
blockages, however there is always the possibility of further unforeseen and controllable delays (e.g. a single high-rainfall
event creating a 1-2 week period where works cannot be undertaken, similar to that experienced at the end of February). As
such, allowance should to be made that works may not be complete until late July.




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