Wellington Point Boating Facilities Upgrade – Business Case

Project introduction and community consultation open until Sunday 31 May 2026

Project overview

Maritime Safety Queensland is preparing a business case to investigate upgrade options for the Wellington Point boat ramp to improve safety, capacity and parking for boat users.

The need to upgrade the facility was identified in the Queensland Recreational Boating Facilities Demand Forecasting Study 2022 for the Redland Local Government Area, which highlighted increasing demand and operational pressures at the site.

A leading option has been identified following technical assessment and stakeholder engagement, supported by two alternative options that were also considered. We are seeking your feedback to confirm community preferences and inform the development of the business case.

Any recommendations from the business case will be considered by the Queensland Government as part of future planning and investment decisions.

Community consultation is now open until Sunday 31 May 2026.

Why this project matters

Wellington Point is a key access point to the Moreton Bay islands and surrounding waterways. The boat ramp supports locals, visitors and tourists who rely on safe and efficient access to the water.

The boat ramp facility experiences congestion during peak periods, particularly for car and trailer parking. Improving the layout and capacity of the facility will help support safer launching and retrieval and improve the overall experience for boaties.

Wellington Point is a busy location, especially during peak periods. This business case will explore options to help:

  • Reduce congestion during busy times.
  • Improve safety and efficiency to make launching and retrieving your boat quicker and easier.
  • Better support the local boating community now and into the future.

Leading option and alternative options considered

Following technical assessment and stakeholder engagement, a leading option has been identified as it provides the best overall balance for this multi-use area. Two alternative options are also presented to support informed community feedback.

Leading option: Waterside reclamation parking extension

This design creates additional parking by reclaiming land to the east of the existing car park within the Moreton Bay Marine Park.

Proposed concept design for Option 2 (Water reclamation parking extension) at Wellington Point boat ramp. The design includes four boat ramp lanes, two floating walkways, and a new breakwater with an extension to the existing northern breakwater to improve safety and reduce tidal impacts. Additional parking is created through reclamation over the water, forming new trailer and car parking areas with accessible bays and improved circulation

Project features
  • 35 new trailable parking bays.
  • 16 new car parking bays.
  • 2 accessible trailable parking spaces.
  • 2 accessible parking spaces.
  • 2 new floating walkways.
  • New breakwater with pedestrian footpath.
  • Extend the existing breakwater (northern boat ramp lanes).
Community benefits
  • Parking extension on reclaimed land reduces the impact on nearby greenspace.
  • Improves safety and ease of launching and retrieving vessels.
  • Reduces the need to enter the water with floating walkways.
  • Improves access and safety for all users.
  • Enhances overall efficiency of the facility.
Considerations
  • Requires construction within the Moreton Bay Marine Park and will be subject to environmental approvals.

Alternative option 1 – Landside parking extension

This option extends the existing parking into the Wellington Point Reserve.

Proposed concept design for Option 1 (Landside parking extension) at Wellington Point boat ramp. The design includes four boat ramp lanes, two floating walkways, and a new breakwater with an extension to the existing northern breakwater to improve safety and reduce tidal impacts. Parking is expanded on land into the Wellington Point Recreation Reserve, with reconfigured car and trailer parking, accessible bays, and supporting pedestrian access

Project features
  • 49 new trailable parking bays.
  • 36 new car parking bays.
  • 2 accessible trailable parking spaces.
  • 2 accessible parking spaces.
  • 2 new floating walkways.
  • New breakwater with pedestrian footpath.
  • Extend the existing breakwater (northern boat ramp lanes).
Community benefits
  • Provides the most additional parking, reducing congestion.
  • Improves safety and ease of launching and retrieving vessels.
  • Reduces the need to enter the water with floating walkways.
  • Improves access and safety for all users.
  • Enhances overall efficiency of the facility.
Considerations
  • Requires a significant part of the Wellington Point Reserve to accommodate the new parking extension.

Alternative option 2 – New breakwater (no parking extension)

This option would upgrade the existing boating facilities by adding a new breakwater and floating walkways, with no changes to existing parking or the current landside footprint.

Proposed concept design for Option 3 (New breakwater only) at Wellington Point boat ramp. The design includes four boat ramp lanes, two floating walkways, and a new breakwater with an extension to the existing northern breakwater to improve safety and reduce tidal impacts. This option focuses on upgrading on-water infrastructure only, with no changes to the existing parking layout on land/

Project features
  • 2 new floating walkways.
  • New breakwater with pedestrian footpath.
  • Extension of the existing breakwater (northern boat ramp lanes).
Community benefits
  • Retains the existing layout and character of the surrounding area.
  • Focuses on improving boating safety and functionality without expanding the current footprint.
  • Improves safety and ease of launching and retrieving vessels.
  • Reduces the need to enter the water with floating walkways.
  • Improves access and safety for all users.
  • Enhances overall efficiency of the facility.
Considerations
  • Parking demand is expected to increase with improved boating infrastructure, placing further pressure on already-constrained parking capacity at Wellington Point.

All options represent concept designs only and involve different site challenges and further environmental considerations. The business case will assess feasibility and confirm community preferences to inform final recommendations.

Have your say – consultation now open

Community consultation is open until Sunday 31 May 2026.

Your feedback will help:

  • Provide your feedback on the leading option, including whether it is the right approach or if an alternative option should be considered.
  • Identify opportunities to refine and improve the leading option.
  • Inform business case recommendations to ensure the leading option reflects community needs and priorities.

All feedback received during consultation will be reviewed and considered as part of the business case development process.

The completed business case will be submitted to the Queensland Government for consideration by mid-2026. Any recommendations will be considered as part of future planning and investment decisions.

How to provide feedback

You can share your feedback in the following ways:

Next steps

All feedback will be reviewed to confirm community preferences and support the development of the business case.

The business case will then be submitted by mid-2026, with any recommendations considered by the Queensland Government as part of future planning and investment decisions.

The community will be kept informed as the business case progresses.

Last updated
11 May 2026