Still no ramp of approval

AN ALTERNATIVE site suggested for Yorkeys Knob’s proposed boat ramp, at Trinity Park, has been ruled out by the State Government.

It comes as Cairns Regional Council aims to lobby the Department of Transport and Main Roads to fund all landbased infrastructure works for boat ramps.

TMR has responded to calls from a group of northern beaches residents to relocate the new six-lane facility away from the Yorkeys Knob marina.

In an email obtained by the Cairns Post, TMR’s boating infrastructure team says there are many issues with the suggested site at Bluewater/Trinity Park.

“This includes the need to revoke a Fish Habitat Area, likely more damaging environmental impacts including mangroves removal, higher upfront and ongoing costs – in particular much higher and event-dependent maintenance dredging costs – a high infill rate from creek flows is projected for the suggested site at Trinity Park,” the email said.

“In comparison, the proposed site at Yorkeys Knob will dredge previously dredged seabed, will have a minimal and infrequent maintenance dredging requirement, will require no mangrove removal at the ramp site, and will be built on – and accessed over – existing state land.”

The council has been asked to foot the $5.5 million bill for landside works associated with the $11 million ramp.

The council, at its monthly meeting today, will vote on a proposal to have the Local Government Association of Queensland lobby TMR to fund all land-based infrastructure works associated with either new or upgraded ramps.