HydroScheme 2024
HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program planned hydrographic survey activities for financial year 2024/2025
Overview
HydroScheme 2024 is designed and managed by the Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) on behalf of the Department of Defence and approved by the Hydrographer of Australia. It provides the plan of hydrographic surveying tasks to be undertaken during the 2024/2025 financial year through the HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program (HIPP).
The HIPP is successfully realising the Australian Government's vision of establishing 'an efficient combination of military and commercial hydrographic and oceanographic survey capabilities' through collaboration with industry and the broader hydrographic surveying community. HIPP tasks are compiled using a risk based approach with the main focus on improving safety of navigation and lowering risk within Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Under the HIPP, a panel of pre-approved industry providers are invited to tender to undertake the survey tasks listed in this HydroScheme during 2024/2025.
Scroll down to view details of individual surveys included in HydroScheme 2024
SI 1037 - Dampier Marine Park (South)
Pilbara Coast
- Status: In Progress
- Date: Jul 2024 - Mar 2025
- Area: 173 NM²
- Contractor: DMAL
The majority of SI 1037 falls within the Dampier Marine Park. This is an area of high environmental value providing a feeding ground for seabirds and turtles after nesting. Humpback whales migrate through the area and the seafloor is rich with sponges and other important benthos.
A considerable amount of shipping transits the survey area when accessing the iron ore terminals at Port Walcott (Cape Lambert). Depths in the area range from 6 to 20 metres, with areas outside the maintained depth channel and recommended tracks containing numerous shoals.
Improving bathymetric data quality outside the main track is a priority because historical data collection in these areas dates from 1872 to 2002, and consequently, was not acquired using modern data acquisition technologies.
SI 1038 - Eastern Group
Southwest Coast
- Status: Planned
- Date: Mar 2025 - Oct 2025
- Area: 595 NM²
- Contractor: Revelare Hydrospatial Pty Ltd
The SI 1038 survey area is located around 200km east of Esperance and is mostly contained within the Eastern Recherche Marine Park. This park contains the islands of the Recherche Archipelago that are important breeding sites for seabirds, such as the great-winged petrels. Due to the regions extremely clear waters, important macroalgae, seagrass, and rhodolith habitats are abundant in depths of up to 50 metres.
Depths in the area range from 20 metres and extend to 75 metres offshore. The area is considered an important candidate for survey due to its ecological importance and age of charting for this locality which comprises sparse historic survey data, mostly from the 1970’s to 1990’s. Using modern surveying methods, will achieve full bathymetric coverage enabling chart updates and support the Ocean Discovery and Restoration Project. It will also acquire additional data for scientific understanding of this ecologically important area.
SI 1044 - Kangaroo Island (South)
South Australian coast
- Status: Planned
- Date: Jan 2025 - Sep 2025
- Area: 488 NM²
- Contractor: Reach Subsea
Adjoining SI 1023 (HydroScheme 2022), the SI 1044 survey continues along the southern coast of Kangaroo Island. The area is partly within the Southern Kangaroo Island Marine Park; one of Australia’s most important breeding sites for Australian sea lions, this nutrient rich area is abundant in marine mammals, fish, seabirds and benthic organisms.
The most recent survey effort in this area was conducted by HMAS Moresby in 1997 and used technology that was not able to ensure full feature detection. Numerous, unconfirmed shoal features have been reported by vessels transiting the area, these may pose a hazard to navigation. Acquisition of full bathymetric coverage from this survey will ensure that accurate nautical information is available for this region, enabling better navigation safety.
SI 1047 - Queensland Plateau (South-West)
Central Queensland Coast
- Status: In Progress
- Date: Nov 2024 - Jun 2025
- Area: 2762 NM²
- Contractor: EGS
Situated within the Coral Sea Marine Park, SI 1047 will survey the deep sea plains and canyons of the Queensland Plateau. The survey excludes McDermott Bank (lying at a depth of approximately 21 metres and previously surveyed), and will focus on surveying depths ranging from 500 to 1500 metres.
Some surveys have been previously conducted in the region, most comprehensively in 1990-91 and more recently by RV Falkor in 2020- 2021. None however, have provided complete coverage of the seafloor, potentially leaving many submarine features such as seamounts and canyons, undiscovered and terrain which sustains Key Environmental Features (KEFs) within the marine park unknown.
Of the two areas, the priority is the plateau itself with the southern survey area subject to change
SI 1048 - Western Approaches to Broome
Kimberley Coast
- Status: In Progress
- Date: Sep 2024 - Jun 2025
- Area: 252 NM²
- Contractor: EGS
Focussing on the poorly charted waters off the eastern approaches to the Port of Broome; a key port servicing the Kimberley region, SI 1048 is a continuation of the HIPP survey effort in this area. This survey abuts the initial section to the north of Broome that was surveyed under SI 1010 (HydroScheme 2020).
The presence of numerous shoals, depths ranging from 6 to 20m, and the regions extreme tidal ranges, make this area navigationally complex for mariners. Much of the area was last surveyed between 1967 and 1973, with limited small scale surveys being conducted over the following decades, so unidentified hazards may exist in the area.
The survey area is adjacent to the Yawuru Nagulagun / Roebuck Bay Marine Park. This marine park supports a great diversity of shorebird species and is of vital importance as a feeding ground for migratory birds. Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins and humpback whales migrate through the area, and turtles nest along the shoreline. The park also has a high amenity value to residents and visitors to the region.
This survey aims to enhance coastal vessel navigational safety by providing high quality data for the bathymetric charts of the area, and thereby, help to ensure that this exceptional area remains in pristine condition.
SI 1049 - Cape Fourcroy (North-West)
Timor Sea
- Status: In Progress
- Date: Jul 2024 - May 2025
- Area: 740 NM²
- Contractor: Guardian Geomatics
This survey borders SI 1043 (HydroScheme 2023) and SI 1055, which is also planned for HydroScheme 2024. SI 1049 builds on the offshore HIPP survey areas and expands on previous activity to acquire full bathymetric coverage for the approaches to Darwin.
The Port of Darwin is a key port in the region and handles a large number of cattle, petroleum products and car shipments, in addition it hosts frequent cruise ship visits. Depths on the port’s approaches, range from approximately 20 metres to over 50 metres. However, a large amount of the survey area is very poorly surveyed; most being undertaken by HMAS Moresby I (1935-37). The continued survey effort in this region will therefore help to ensure that the nautical products available to mariners for use in the region, are complete and current.
Most of the survey area lies within the Oceanic Shoals Marine Park, which is characterised by submerged banks, terraces and pinnacles and is home to abundant and diverse sponge gardens, corals and marine life.
Ensuring that the area is fully surveyed will contribute to safeguarding this sensitive and unique region.
SI 1050 - Port Botany to Port Kembla
Tasman Sea
- Status: Planned
- Date: Jan 2025 - Jul 2025
- Area: 621 NM²
- Contractor: Ocean Infinity
Extending between two of NSW largest ports SI 1050 will ensure full bathymetric coverage of this critical navigational area. This will provide benefit to marine users by ensuring updated information is available for nautical products.
The survey data will be used to update information about the offshore vessel anchorages of Port Kembla which lay in Commonwealth waters, provide for environmental monitoring and modelling in conjunction with data collection by the NSW Department of Environment, and through full seafloor coverage, increase vessel safety of navigation along the coast.
SI 1051 - Flinders Island (North-West)
Tasman Sea
- Status: In Progress
- Date: Oct 2024 - May 2025
- Area: 421 NM²
- Contractor: Ocean Infinity
SI 1051 is part of a major survey effort in the region. Infilling between SI 1030 (HydroScheme 2023) and the SI 1032 LiDAR (bathymetric LASER) survey (HydroScheme 2022), this completes a fully surveyed area extending from the islands of the Kent Group to Flinders Island. This area intersects the path of major shipping routes between the North coast of Tasmania and East coast of the Australian mainland.
Historically there has been little survey effort in this region, with HMA Ships Leeuwin and Melville (2004), NATMAP (1986-90), HMAS Warrego (1949-53) and HMAS Moresby I (1944) providing the majority of data. HIPP has expanded operations in the region with a major LiDAR survey of the Furneaux Group, and a total of five MultiBeam Echo Sounder (MBES) surveys along the South and East coast of the island group. These surveys provide full bathymetric coverage and consequently will greatly enhance the reliability of the nautical products used to navigate the region.
SI 1054 - Cape Pasley to Pollock Reef
Southwest Coast
- Status: Planned
- Date: Mar 2025 - Nov 2025
- Area: 484 NM²
- Contractor: EGS
The SI 1054 survey area is adjacent SI 1038 (also scheduled for HydroScheme 2024) and is located around 180km east of Esperance. It is mostly contained within the Eastern Recherche Marine Park. This park contains the islands of the Recherche Archipelago that are important breeding sites for seabirds, such as the great-winged petrels. Due to the regions extremely clear waters, important macroalgae, seagrass, and rhodolith habitats are abundant in depths of up to 50 metres.
Depths in the area range from 20 metres and extend to 75 metres offshore. The area is considered an important candidate for survey due to its ecological importance and archaeological significance. The charting for this locality comprises sparse historic survey data, mostly from the 1970’s to 1990’s. Using modern surveying methods, will achieve full bathymetric coverage enabling chart updates particularly for the offshore reefs, and support the Ocean Discovery and Restoration Project. It will also acquire additional data for scientific understanding of this ecologically important area.
SI 1055 - Parry Shoal (West)
Beagle Gulf
- Status: In Progress
- Date: Jul 2024 - May 2025
- Area: 720 NM²
- Contractor: MMA
Situated to the north and east of SI 1049 (also scheduled for HydroScheme 2024), this survey will supplement previous HIPP activities to acquire full bathymetric coverage. The survey area lies almost entirely within the Oceanic Shoals Marine Park, an ecologically sensitive and geologically unique region.
This survey is situated in the offshore approaches to Darwin. The Port of Darwin plays and important role as Australia’s nearest port to Asia and is a vital northern hub for Australasian seaborne trade. It is also key in supporting the expansion of offshore oil and gas fields off the Western Australian coast. It handles a range of commercial shipping, and also cruise ships and naval vessels. This survey will contribute to improving the navigation on the approach by replacing low quality historical surveys with data recorded using modern survey techniques.
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HydroScheme Achievements
Details on the HIPP program surveys completed to date, and how to request HIPP data, are included in the HydroScheme Achievements StoryMap. Click the button below to view: