Scarborough Boat Harbour, north-east of Brisbane, will be expanded and its trawler fleet enhanced under long-term plans released today.
A master plan for the maritime facility on the Redcliffe peninsula has outlined a number of strategies to enhance the area.
Queensland Transport Minister Bart Mellish said the plan would be used as a strategic, decision-making and implementation tool to protect the core functions of the harbour and to guide future development opportunities.
Minister Mellish said it aimed to strike a balance between sustaining a working harbour and maritime operations, while enhancing the experience and access for all.
He said the master plan identified a range of future opportunities for the harbour including:
- Enhanced access and berthing for vessels.
- Growth of the maritime and tourism sectors.
- Improved public access, public realm and open space.
- Minimising the harbour’s environmental footprint and impact.
- Improved integration with surrounding areas.
- Driving Scarborough Boat Harbour as a destination.
The master plan document outlines a range responses to a series of strategies.
With regards to the harbour’s function and operation, the goal is to develop a regionally significant harbour that prioritises the long-term health of the maritime industry, protects and enhances its role as providing an all-tide deepwater sheltered access to Moreton Bay and allow for the sustainable growth of a broad range of maritime-related commercial, club, tourism, recreation and community activities.
To achieve this the mast plan suggests:
- A harbour expansion investigation area to provide future marine access, manage dredge spoil, and enhance public access.
- Maintain and investigate enhancing the trawler fleet and access to enable ‘direct to public’ seafood sales.
- Precincts arranged to deliver a variety of dry and wet lease options suited to a wide range of marine-based commercial operators, tourism and entertainment businesses.
- Paddle craft launch area and club and community group areas.
- Investigate providing additional public boat launching capacity.
