Civil and Marine Construction for Waterfront Infrastructure Projects

Civil and Marine Construction
Tas Marine delivers expert civil and marine construction solutions for waterfront infrastructure across Australia. Built for durability and compliance.

Waterfront infrastructure is essential to Australia’s economy, transport networks, and coastal communities, supporting everything from trade and tourism to public access and marine operations. Assets such as ports, marinas, seawalls, and jetties operate in highly demanding environments where tides, waves, corrosion, and environmental constraints place constant pressure on structural performance. As a result, specialised civil and marine construction is critical to delivering safe, durable, and future-ready waterfront infrastructure projects that meet strict regulatory standards.

What is Civil and Marine Construction?

Civil and marine construction is a specialised field that combines traditional civil engineering with marine engineering techniques to deliver infrastructure in coastal, riverine, and offshore environments. Civil construction typically focuses on land-based elements such as access roads, structural foundations, utilities, and shoreline integration. Marine construction, on the other hand, involves in-water and over-water works including piling, wharves, jetties, pontoons, dredging, and shoreline protection structures.

Together, these disciplines ensure waterfront projects function seamlessly between land and water. Successful delivery requires a deep understanding of tides, wave action, sediment movement, corrosion, and environmental constraints unique to marine settings.

Key Types of Waterfront Infrastructure Projects

Waterfront infrastructure projects vary in scale and purpose, but all require careful planning and specialist construction expertise. Common project types include:

  Wharves, piers, and jetties that support commercial shipping, ferries, and industrial operations.
  Marinas and boat ramps provide safe access for recreational and commercial vessels.
  Seawalls and breakwaters are designed to protect coastlines, ports, and waterfront developments from erosion and wave energy.
  Dredging and channel works that maintain navigable waterways and harbour access.
  Floating structures and pontoons that adapt to tidal movement while supporting public or private use.

Challenges and Engineering Considerations in Waterfront Projects

Marine and waterfront construction involves complexities that extend well beyond traditional land-based projects. These works must address a combination of environmental, engineering, and operational challenges unique to marine environments, including:

  Strict environmental regulations to protect marine ecosystems, water quality, and natural coastal processes

  Comprehensive approvals and planning requirements, often involving detailed environmental impact assessments and sediment management strategies

  Engineering demands such as resistance to saltwater corrosion, tidal movement, wave loading, and prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions

  Careful material selection and structural design, including marine-grade materials and protective coatings to ensure durability and reduce long-term maintenance

  Complex logistics and safety considerations, requiring specialised marine equipment, skilled crews, and rigorous safety procedures to manage in-water operations and weather-related risks

Why Professional Civil and Marine Construction Matters

Engaging an experienced contractor is critical to the success of any waterfront infrastructure project. Professional delivery ensures projects are built to Australian standards, remain structurally sound over their lifespan, and meet environmental and safety obligations. From early planning through to construction and maintenance, specialist expertise reduces risk, improves efficiency, and protects long-term asset value.

Expert Civil and Marine Construction for Australian Waterfronts

At Tas Marine, we specialise in delivering high-quality civil and marine construction solutions tailored to Australia’s unique marine environments. Our team combines technical expertise, practical experience, and a commitment to safety and environmental responsibility to deliver reliable outcomes for waterfront infrastructure projects of all sizes.

Whether you’re planning a new marine structure, upgrading existing assets, or seeking expert advice on civil and marine works, we are equipped to support your project from concept to completion.

Ready to discuss your next waterfront infrastructure project? Get in touch with us today!

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Bellerive Stormwater Upgrade

Client: City of Clarence

Date Completed: May 2025

Total Contract Sum: $1.2M

Description of works:

Tas Marine delivered Clarence City Council’s largest infrastructure project to date, including constructing a temporary sheet pile cofferdam across Bellerive Beach to enable excavation for a new stormwater outfall. Over 200 tonnes of steel were installed using specialised equipment. The new upgrade reduces flood risk to surrounding residential areas and supports long-term coastal resilience.

New Boat Stack Seawall

Client: Williamstown

Date Completed: Current

Total Contract Sum:

Description of works

Tas Marine Construction has been contracted to deliver a 200-metre long break wall at Williamstown.

The combination wall design consists of 16mm sheet piles with rock-socketed piles installed at every second sheet. With challenging hard basalt ground conditions, Tas Marine is applying its specialist hard rock drilling expertise to drill and concrete the piles into position. Completion is scheduled for late 2025.

Details of Innovations and extra value for money

Client Contact:

Travel Lift Jetties

Client: Royal Yacht Club of Victoria

Date Completed: Current

Total Contract Sum: 

Description of works

Tas Marine Construction was awarded the competitive tender to replace the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria’s aging travel lift jetties. 

Works include demolition of the existing jetties, installation of new piles, and the supply and fit of steel superstructure and precast deck units. The project is progressing on schedule and will be completed ahead of the arrival of the new travel lift in mid-October.

Details of any  Variations

Details of Innovations and extra value for money

Client Contact:

Waikawa Breakwall (NZ)

Client: Port Marlborough

Date Completed: Current

Total Contract Sum: $12.2M

Description of works

Construction of 500m long piled break-wall in up to 18m water depth. Precast wave panels are 8m deep weighing 25t. Total weight of structure 6000t.

Details of any Variations

Variations for additional PDA testing, pile lengths, pull out tests, acceleration and pile fins were approved and paid. Some painting was deleted and client was given a discount.

Details of Innovations and extra value for money  
Raker piles were not achieving tension capacity at contract lengths. We used pile offcut steel to manufacture spiral welded fins on the bottom of the piles which increased tension capacity.
Client Contact: Grant Beatie: +64 21239244

Bellerive Yacht Club new Marina arm

Client: Bellingham marine Australia
Date completed: Feb 2025
Total contract sum: $380,000
Description of works:
Supply and install steel piles with poly sleeves into rock. Take delivery of pontoons and assemble on water. Fit abutment and gangway. Install coverboard and buffer.
Details of Innovations and extra value for money:
TMC was able to use our new 40t crane for the duration to save hiring a crane. The trucks were often delayed so would have meant lots of variation charges if we had to hire a crane extra times
Client Contact: Mr Marc Carney