Tenders open for new boat ramp

TENDERS have opened for construction of a new $17 million Yorkeys Knob boat ramp.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is set to award construction contracts in coming months.

“With all the necessary approvals now secured, we’re looking to progress construction as quickly as possible,” Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said.

“There has been a lot of work to get the project to this point and I would like to thank Cairns Regional Council (CRR), Half Moon Bay Golf Club, Yorkeys Knob Boating Club, Yorkeys Knob residents, businesses and local boaties for all their valuable input.”

Mr Crawford said the department had considered all suggestions during the consultation period and, where possible, included some ideas in the final design.

“The facility that will be built there features a six-lane ramp, three floating walkways and two breakwaters, which will significantly improve Cairns northern suburbs’ capacity for launching and retrieving boats,” he said.

“We have also looked carefully at reducing the environmental impacts of the creek crossing near Buckley Street through design to ensure movement of water and fauna is not impeded.”

The design features 135 car-trailer parks and 63 standard car parks, including six disabled parking spaces and a new toilet block. The project is being jointly funded by TMR and the council.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the council had set aside $2 million this financial year and an additional $1.5 million in the following year.

Mr Crawford encouraged local companies to tender for the project by registering and downloading tender documents from the Queensland Government’s eTender website. It is due for completion in late 2022.