BIA welcomed a Queensland Government announcement on 17 September which will see more than $35 million invested in Gold Coast waterways over the next four years to upgrade facilities for the boating public, maintain navigation and improve access through dredging navigation channels.
The centrepiece of the Waterways Management Program 2020-2024 is a $5.5 million investment in dredging the Gold Coast Seaway and the North and South navigation channels.
The Seaway is the gateway to the Gold Coast and this project supports safe, navigable access between the coast and our inland waterways network.
Over the coming months, tenders will be awarded for other major works including Main Channel dredging and upgrades to the Sand Bypass System at The Spit.
The program also includes a $2.3 million project at Jacobs Well to widen the boat ramp lanes to handle more boat movements and replace the ageing jetty with a new reinforced concrete one.
Local firm, Envirostruct Services, has won the tender to carry out the Jacobs Well and Pontoon Upgrade project which is expected to support seven jobs and will be completed by the middle of next year.
The Qld Government is investing in boat ramp and pontoon upgrades to help more people get out onto and enjoy the waterways.
Over the past 18 months several projects have been completed which generated 65 jobs locally and resulted in millions of dollars being invested in the local economy including:
- The Coomera Dredged Sediment Facility and associated dredging works of the Coomera River ($10 million)
- A new pontoon at Alberton ($380,000)
- West Crab Island and South Wave Break Island channel dredging projects ($1.5 million) and
- The upgrading and strengthening of the Sand Bypass System jetty at The Spit ($3.35 million.)
– BIA Media
