The Stockyard Creek Channel commences at the western extremity of Stockyard Channel in the Northwest of Corner Inlet and is marked with an unlit Starboard Lateral Pile #1. The channel leads upstream to the mouth of Stockyard Creek, a distance of approximately 4.5 kilometers. The channel is currently marked with 3 minor unlit navigation buoys and 11 minor unlit navigation piles. The Stockyard Creek Channel is no longer used for commerce due to the shallow available depths and lack of infrastructure upstream. The use for the channel is to access Stockyard Creek from Stockyard Channel. There is a small boat ramp in a paddock some locals use as a place to launch small shallow draft craft in Stockyard Creek.

Upstream of lateral pile #6 the channel is unreliable to carry a depth of greater than 0.4m at LAT. In parts of the channel upstream of this pile the channel dries. Stockyard Creek Channel is currently used for some commercial fishing and a few recreational fishers and paddle craft who have sufficient local knowledge regarding changes in channel alignment and tide height restrictions. They also use shallow draft vessels because of the compromised depths.

Marking the channel upstream of pile #6 may encourage vessel operators, that do not possess local knowledge regarding channel alignment and tidal constraints, to venture upstream with the thought that because it is marked by aids to navigation it is safe to transit. Unknowingly they are faced with the risk of becoming stranded in shallow water as the tide ebbs. There is history of this occurrence.

Gippsland Ports has carried out a Risk Assessment for the marking of the Stockyard Creek Channel with reference to maintaining aids to navigation in that channel. Good water depths can be safely marked with aids to navigation Upstream from the position of #1 Starboard Lateral Pile to Port Lateral Pile #6. Upstream from this position, the channel becomes confused, unreliable in direction and with compromised depths below 0.4m at LAT.

Accordingly, the risk assessment identifies that the aids to navigation upstream from #6 should be withdrawn from service so as not to encourage vessel traffic other than those who have sufficient local knowledge to navigate upstream without the use of aids to navigation.

Gippsland Ports shall commence the withdrawal of all aids to navigation in the Stockyard Creek Channel from #8 pile to #20 pile on or around the week beginning 4th May 2026.

Mariners are invited to contact the Harbour Master on 0427 610 025 should they wish to discuss Port Operations. Mariners are also invited to visit the Gippsland Ports website at; www.gippslandports.vic.gov.au

A further Notice will be issued when the Navigation Aid works are about to commence and when the works are completed.

David Ashworth
Assistant Harbour Master