Boat Park Stage 2 to deliver on promise to boaties
Date published: 27 October 2016
Options for Townsville boaties are set to increase with work well underway on Stage 2 of the Townsville Recreational Boating Park.
With more parking, wash down areas, two more ramps and an all-ability accessible pontoon, Stage 2 will complement the two four-lane boat ramps, 220 car-with-trailer parks, playground and picnic facilities delivered under Stage 1 last year.
Importantly, the Townsville City Council-funded work will also go a long way towards alleviating ongoing drainage issues for adjoining South Townsville residential and commercial properties.
Townsville Mayor Cr Jenny Hill major ground works at the site at the end of Seventh Avenue were already well underway with major excavations to realign and upgrade the existing stormwater network.
“A big portion of the $5 million budget for this project will go underground,” Cr Hill said.
“Residents in this area have endured problems with poor drainage during weather events and king tides for years now so we are taking the opportunity to address that with upgraded stormwater drainage through this project.
“Above ground, we will create an additional 113 car-with-trailer bays as well as install CCTV cameras and lighting along with landscaping.
“By mid next year, Townsville boaties will have access to the largest facility of its kind in the country with 16 lanes, two pontoons including a a 50m disability access pontoon and more than 360 parking spaces.”
The city’s Infrastructure Committee chairman Cr Mark Molachino said council work was on track for completion mid next year despite some challenges associated with the site that rests on reclaimed land.
“With its proximity to the sea we’ve found the soil at this location to be unstable and prone to groundwater seepage,” Cr Molachino said.
“Within weeks of construction commencing, our crews unearthed a 140 metre reinforced concrete sea wall, possibly dating back to the war years, which resulted in the removal of around 240 tonnes of concrete.
“We have also located some of the old timber piles that were previously used for moorings in the river prior to reclamation works more than 60 years ago.
“Right now, the site is a hive of activity with multiple earth moving machines and up to a dozen council employees on site at any one time.”
Divisional Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said the Townsville Recreational Boat Park had been designed and developed in consultation with the community.
“We wanted to ensure the design not only met the needs of local boat owners but also provided a facility that was accessible, fun and functional for the whole community,” Cr Greaney said.
“Townsville has the highest annual growth rate of trailer-able boats in Queensland so there really was a need for this development.
“I’m also very pleased to highlight the work being done on stormwater pipes and outlets that will assist with stormwater drainage in the area, as well as during high tides.”
The construction is being delivered by council using council staff. Local company Civil Plus Constructions has been employed for construction of the main stormwater outlet, worth approximately $500,000.
The boating park has been the result of a partnership between the Townsville City Council, the Queensland Government and the Port of Townsville with input from the local boating community.
