HeliJet Shoreline Stabilization Project at Camel Point

Updated: September 26, 2025

Project Start Date: September 8, 2025
Expected Completion: October 24, 2025 (originally November 30)

On September 8, a contractor working on behalf of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA), began work on a shoreline stabilization project near the Camel Point Heliport (located at the entrance of 70 Dallas Road).

The project will repair and reinforce 80 metres of shoreline that has been significantly eroded by storms and rising sea levels. The contractor will remove unstable material and reinforce the shoreline with geofabric, rock, and boulders.

Work Schedule

  • Work began on September 8.
  • Construction takes place at night to avoid the closure of the terminal, which is an important transportation hub for the region.
  • Crews will work Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
  • The anticipated completion date is now October 24. The project was originally scheduled to finish by November 30, but significant progress has been made.

Noise and Community Impact

  • Work is conducted from barges in the water channel near the James Bay public boat ramp.
  • The crane and other equipment are powered by a custom-fitted WhisperWatt generator with an electric motor to reduce noise.
  • When moving materials, the crew is placing rather than dropping materials to reduce noise.
  • Noise levels have been monitored. Equipment is shut down when not in use.
  • The public boat ramp and parking area will remain fully accessible during the day.

Permits and Regulations

  • The terminal is located in the Breakwater District at Ogden Point, which is zoned as an industrial area.
  • GVHA is working with the City of Victoria regarding applicable regulations and permits. GVHA’s noise exemption permit will be reviewed at regular intervals.

GVHA is committed to completing this work as quickly and responsibly as possible, with minimal disruption to the surrounding community. If you have questions about this project, please email gvha@gvha.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why can’t Helijet close temporarily to complete the work during the day?

The terminal is an essential transportation hub for the city. The decision to allow night work was not made lightly. Several daytime construction options were explored first, with a combination of factors informing the final decision — including safety requirements, seasonal weather limitations, and the operation of cranes, barges and heavy equipment within flight path and landing areas. Maintaining daytime access to the navigational channel next to the terminal for the public, the Canadian Coast Guard, and commercial operators was also an important consideration.

Q: Why will the project take so long?

The shoreline must be carefully rebuilt using large rocks capable of withstanding future storm events. Every effort will be made to finish as early as possible.

Q: Does this project comply with the City of Victoria’s noise bylaw?

We have shared details about this important project with the City of Victoria, which has issued a noise exemption permit for this work. The permit will be reviewed at regular intervals during the project.

Q: What have you done to reduce noise?

The crane and other equipment are powered by a custom-fitted WhisperWatt generator with an electric motor to reduce noise. Equipment is shut down when not in use. Materials being moved around the site are placed rather than dropped.

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Notification of Minor Work

March 24, 2025

Canadian Navigable Waters Act

Transport Canada – Navigation Protection Program (NPP)

Greater Victoria Harbour Authority hereby gives notice that a submission has been added to the Common Project Search (online registry) pursuant to the Canadian Navigable Waters Act described herein and its description.

Pursuant to paragraph 4(1) of the said Act, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has deposited a notification of a minor work in accordance with the requirements set out on the External Submission Site, on the online Common Project Search Registry and under Registry Number 12301, a detailed description of the following work:

EROSION-PROTECTION WORK VIA ROCK REINFORCEMENT

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Breakwater District HeliJet North Shoreline Stabilization (Camel Point). This maintenance project will repair old shoreline armoring (rock reinforcement) consisting of broken up of concrete slabs with new rip rap. The new riprap revetment will consist of placing new non-woven geotextile on top of existing armor and shoreline then placing rock rip-rap on top. This work will be merged with and like the newer rip rap along the west shoreline at HeliJet.

The length of shoreline that will receive the work is approximately 80m and width will be within 5m of the ordinary high-water mark.

The work could be started as early as Sept 1, 2025.

Posted at Victoria, BC this 24th day of March, 2025.

If you have questions about this project, please email gvha@gvha.ca.