Shute Harbour Boat Ramp Decision Made To Transfer Ownership

Whitsunday Regional Council have moved to allow Council Chief Executive Officer, Warren Bunker, to enter negotiations with Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) to transfer the Shute Harbour Boat Ramp from state ownership to Council’s.

The Shute Harbour Boat Ramp is currently owned by the State of Queensland and was constructed in late 2021. Since its construction, the Council has received complaints of the useability of the structure, with the main complaint being in relation to the fixed structure being poorly designed for fluctuating tides and accessing vessels safely.

The primary reason that State went with the fixed structure design was due to the location’s exposure to strong winds and cyclonic wave action.

While in the State’s hands, the Council had the obligation to inspect and maintain the boat ramp, using approximately $25 thousand per annum in ratepayers’ money.

In early 2023, Council met with MSQ and Department of Transport and Main Roads to propose Council take over the boat ramp, at nil-cost, so that Council can move forward will a more community-minded approach to design, including the installation of a floating pontoon, which can be easily removed in the event of adverse weather conditions.

In May 2023, MSQ agreed to fund the removal of the existing structure, and then transferring ownership to Council at nil-cost.

At the Ordinary Council Meeting last week, Councillors discussed the proposal for Mr Bunker to engage in negotiations with MSQ to transfer ownership.

Mayor Julie Hall explained how pleased she is that this motion has finally been presented to Council.

“I am very supportive of this,” she explained.

“We have one shot to find a solution, and by owning and improving this asset, we can increase user-ability for community benefit.”

Councillor Gary Simpson was supportive of the motion as well.

“This has been an issue for three years, and it’s a serious problem for many boaties in the area. This is a great initiative.”

Director of Commercial Business Craig Turner explained that the removal of the existing structure would align with the installation of the new pontoon, and would most likely occur in a few months, after cyclone season.

Councillor Clay Bauman supported the motion, saying “This really does fix an issue that is directly affecting residents. This is a reputational risk, but we’re stuck with it and now we have the chance to fix it.”

However, Councillors Michelle Wright, John Collins, and Mike Brunker were not supportive of the motion.

Cr Wright believes that money would be best suited to address local issues; “We really need to consider where we’re spending our money. We can’t afford to look after local roads, let alone take on another asset.”

Cr Collins and Cr Brunker believe that taking on a new asset, one with pre-existing issues was the wrong move.

“This is not our problem,” Cr Collins explained.

“We should not be spending money on things that are not our problem. We informed the State on the design, and the issues, they went ahead anyway.”

Cr Brunker explained that “We shouldn’t go rushing in. We put up with it a little longer, than bring it up at the State election.”

Cr Brunker also suggested an amendment of erecting a sign at the boat ramp, highlighting the ramp belonging to the State Government, with a number printed to send complaints to.

This amendment was thrown out.

“This amendment is a punch in the face to the State,” said Mayor Hall. “I won’t be supporting this amendment.”

Despite all this discussion, local boaties welcome the development.

“The current design is an engineer’s disaster,” Danny Hackett, local fisherman and boaty, described.

“It is absolutely useless and not functional at all. When the tide comes in, the walkway is completely underwater, and it causes a bottleneck, because only one person at a time can actually use the ramp.

“It’s a fantastic idea to have the floating pontoon. I would utilise it so much more if it did,” he said.

“The biggest aggravation for boaties is the bottleneck of getting out of the water after a long day. A floating pontoon is easier to access, no bottleneck, and no big line-ups.”

Council officers estimate that the initial capital expenditure for the works would be between $1.18 and $1.54 million, to construct a 47 metre, 2.5-metre-wide floating pontoon.

The continued costings would be approximately $82 thousand per annum for operational and maintenance costs.

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The Shute Harbour Boat Ramp walkway causing chaos. Photos supplied