A wide suite of conditions and prescribed monitoring parameters are often applied to capital dredge projects, requiring robust monitoring programs for compliance and management. A key aim of monitoring programs is to provide management with sufficient relevant information to enable simplified and effective decision-making. However, with each additional condition and requirement, the complexity of these monitoring programs increases. With increasing complexity comes additional challenges in their execution, particularly with regard to large projects over long timeframes.
Here we present a behind-the-scenes view of the Port of Townsville Channel Upgrade Marine Water Monitoring Program and the complexities and challenges faced in achieving the prescribed monitoring conditions. Lessons learnt from this program have ongoing relevancy to future stages of capital works in Townsville, as well as in other geographies. These will be explored with a view to supporting evolution of regulatory approvals that are applied to projects in the EIS phase.