Access to Cockburn Sound from Challengers Beach will be closed starting next Monday as geophysical surveying begins for the Kwinana Outer Harbour project, according to Sound Telegraph.
Shack owners in the vicinity were notified last week about the temporary closure. The Sound will remain off-limits to divers and swimmers during daylight hours for two to three weeks from October 28.
Geophysical surveys, which use sound waves to map the seabed, can produce underwater noise exceeding recommended levels for safe diving and swimming.
This surveying marks one of the initial phases of the $4 billion Westport project in Kwinana, which was referred for assessment by the Environmental Protection Agency in March.
Originally slated for completion by 2032, the project’s timeline was pushed back in July, with the port now expected to open by 2042.
Local Naval Base holiday shack residents have expressed concern about the potential impact of the survey on local marine life.
Curtin University Professor Rober McCauley was quoted in the Sound Telegraph article saying that in his opinion the potential impact on local marine life will be minimal and unlikely to cause harm.
However, for many local residents the term “unlikely to cause harm” to marine life will not be sufficient to address their understandable concerns.
Save Cockburn Sound wonders if this is just one of the initial phases of the Westport project, what more is there in store and how unlikely will it be that will cause harm to marine life in our precious Sound?