Project Overview
In March 2017, Cyclone Debbie devastated the Whitsunday region, with Shute Harbour among the worst-hit maritime facilities. Once a vital hub for tourism and local operators, its pontoons, gangways, and piles were destroyed or left unsafe, restricting access to the Whitsunday Islands and impacting the local economy.
Whitsunday Regional Council committed to a comprehensive redevelopment to restore the harbour’s capacity and resilience. The project required careful execution in an environmentally sensitive coastal setting. Shute Harbour sits within a pristine marine environment, where works had to balance construction efficiency with strict controls to protect water quality, marine habitats, and community amenity.
TAMS was awarded the marine construction package, drawing on its proven track record in specialist harbour works, self-perform capabilities, company-owned marine fleet, and extensive experience delivering projects in sensitive and remote locations.
Scope of Work
The redevelopment combined piling, steel fabrication, pontoon refurbishment, and gangway installation. A total of 82 piles were installed, with approximately 30% requiring sockets drilled into shallow bedrock and reinforced with 100m³ of concrete. This solution minimised seabed disturbance while ensuring robust foundations. The balance of piles were driven conventionally using a combination of land and barge-based cranes, with TAMS’ jack-up barge Margaret providing a stable platform to improve accuracy and reduce time in the marine environment.
A 600-tonne steel fabrication package was also delivered. This included the refurbishment of five existing pontoons, fabrication of a new 21m x 8m pontoon, and manufacture of nine aluminium gangways. Once transported to site, these were installed between offshore piles and linked back to shore to re-establish safe access.
All activities were supported by TAMS’ self-perform fleet, including crawler cranes, an S90 Hydohammer, pile top drill rig, jack-up barge, workboats, and custom piling gates. By deploying its own equipment and workforce, TAMS reduced construction timeframes and minimised environmental exposure.
Solution
Working in close collaboration with Whitsunday Regional Council, TAMS developed a delivery methodology that prioritised environmental protection and operational safety. Construction sequencing was carefully planned around tidal movements and weather conditions to minimise turbidity and disturbance to the seabed. Strict controls were implemented for dredging, pile drilling, and concrete works to protect water quality in the sensitive coastal environment.
The project also leveraged local supply chains and workforce where possible, supporting the regional economy while reducing transport impacts. Self-performing critical tasks enabled TAMS to maintain direct control over environmental safeguards, quality, and schedule.
Through this approach, the harbour was restored to full functionality without compromise to its natural setting. Modern pontoons, gangways, and robust piles delivered resilience against future cyclones, while environmentally conscious methods ensured the Whitsundays’ unique marine environment was preserved for the community and future tourism.
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