Boating infrastructure program
The Queensland Government’s Boating Infrastructure Program (BIP) forms part of the Maritime Infrastructure Investment Program (MIIP).
Community consultation is a major input to the works program. Transport and Main Roads also works closely with major stakeholders to identify priority recreational boating projects throughout Queensland. Potential new or upgraded facilities are identified through a project proposal process in conjunction with councils and port and water authorities that partner with the department in the provision of boating facilities. Proposals are regularly sought from these agencies and compliant/feasible proposals are considered when developing the MIIP each year.
The Recreational Boating Facilities Demand Forecasting Study 2017 was completed by GHD Pty Ltd in December 2016.This study is one tool used by delivery agencies including port authorities, councils, Gold Coast Waterways Authority and Transport and Main Roads in selecting and prioritising sites for development, its recommendations are not binding in any way.The study establishes demand based on boating registrations and population data, and makes informed suggestions as to how the established demand might be addressed. It is up to each agency to review these suggestions, taking other criteria into account. At December 2016, 66% of recommendations from the 2011 study have been adopted to a greater or lesser extent.
The BIP funds:
- public recreational boating facilities for launching and retrieving recreational trailer boats
- maintaining depths in channels to ensure access to high-use recreational boating facilities
- new and upgraded pontoons and floating walkways at or near boat ramps, where there is sufficient identified need (provided local conditions are suitable)
- pontoons and jetties for deeper-draught vessels (such as yachts and launches) for pick-up and set-down of passengers and supplies.
When making assessments and prioritising investments, Transport and Main Roads considers:
- community consultation via the QGOV Get Involved website
- proposals from local members on behalf of constituents
- the recommendations of the most recent demand forecasting study
- feasibility and constraints (foreshore profile, depths in access channels, wave climate, current scouring, siltation, marine parks, fish habitat areas, environmental offsets, mangrove clearing and so on)
- available departmental funding (capital and grant) for in-water project components
- maximising benefit to maximum numbers of the boating public
- agreement from local government partners willing to commit funding for land side components based on their budget priorities and works programs
- foreshore land availability and access
- council project proposals
- statewide equity considerations and demographic challenges for remote and sparsely populated areas.
Successful projects are included in a multi-year rolling works program. The majority of projects are scheduled over 2 to 3 years with design and environmental approvals undertaken in the first year and construction in a second year. Prioritisation of funding, technical constraints and local conditions such as severe weather can result in projects being staged over longer time frames.
Gold Coast boating facilities and dredging
On 1 July 2013, responsibility for all boating infrastructure works, dredging and operation of the Gold Coast Seaway was transferred to the Gold Coast Waterways Authority. For information about boating facilities on the Gold Coast, visit the Gold Coast Waterways Authority website or contact the authority office at 07 5539 7350 or mail@gcwa.qld.gov.au.