A FORMER master warden of Devonport says if the Mersey River is not being dredged well enough to cater for its main freight ships, it may as well be turned into a car park.
Captain Dick Burgess, who is also an ex-port director, weighed in on the dredging issue after being asked if it could be a reason the cruise ship Athena had to be diverted to Burnie on Monday.

TasPorts said it was because of a tidal restriction in Devonport. Capt Burgess agreed it was the case and that it had happened once before.

Liberal deputy leader Jeremy Rockliff has also given a stern warning that Devonport could be in danger of losing major port users such as Cement Australia and Shell because of dredging issues.

"If that is the case, they may as well put a pipe up the Mersey River and turn it into a car park," Capt Burgess said.

He said the needs of the port's regular freight ships - which were definitely getting bigger - had to be catered to or else they would go elsewhere.

During his time Capt Burgess said as the ships got bigger "we dredged deeper into the river to cater for them".

"We worked very closely with port users to cater to their needs.

"Maintaining the port and its depth was our business and we used revenue from trade to pay for that."

Capt Burgess said the Mersey was dredged about every four years and monthly soundings were undertaken to determine when the next dredging was scheduled.

It is understood Cement Australia and Shell do have concerns.

TasPorts has confirmed there were operational limitations on some ships using the Port of Devonport and yesterday a TasPorts spokeswoman said the dredging needs of it and other ports were being reviewed.

She said TasPorts was consulting with key stakeholders and letters were sent to Cement Australia and Shell seeking information on their requirements.

The Advocate: http://www.theadvocate.com.au/news/l...s/1735156.aspx