Drilling in Tasmanian port to guide future investment

AN INVESTIGATIVE drilling program has begun at Tasmania’s Port of Burnie.

TasPorts believes the 12-week program will provide insight into the underlying geological conditions in Burnie’s port zone.

TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald said the program supports the company’s vision for the port, articulated in its Burnie Gateway Initiative.

“We are currently undertaking a comprehensive geotechnical drilling program to confirm the underlying geological conditions with Burnie’s port zone,” Mr Donald said.

“The resultant data will then be analysed so that informed planning for a capital dredging program can be undertaken.”

Mr Donald said TasPorts’ contractor BridgePro is conducting marine-based drilling operations from a barge transiting port waters.

“Immediately following the marine-based program, four weeks of land-based drilling is scheduled to commence,” he said.

“This land-based program will be performed by our contractors, GHD and consist of numerous drills across the port zone.”

According to TasPorts, the drilling works will involve large machinery but are unlikely to generate noticeable noise.

All drilling will be carried out between 0630 and 1830. Works commenced on 21 February and are expected to continue until May.