Port Douglas Boat Harbour access upgrade announced

Port Douglas Boat Harbour users are set for better boating access with the Palaszczuk Government awarding a contract worth nearly $3 million to commence dredging works.

Main Roads and Ports Minister Mark Bailey announced that Queensland dredging contractors, Hall Contracting Pty Ltd, had won the contract to improve navigational access for the harbour.

“Approximately 50,000 cubic metres of sediment from the harbour entrance channel and internal access channels will be removed, nearly enough to fill twenty Olympic swimming pools”, Minister Bailey said.

“Detailed modelling suggests that realigning and widening the mouth of the entrance tunnel should reduce the frequency of maintenance dredging by up to 50 percent, causing less disruption to harbour users and saving significant amounts for Queensland taxpayers.”

“Water quality monitoring will take place throughout the works, to ensure nearby sensitive habitats are not impacted by the dredging."

“This is a major win for North Queensland boat users, and a demonstration of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to the region.  Once finished, boaties will have easier and safer access to the harbour,” Minister Bailey said.

Mr Bailey urged all boat harbour users to take care around the dredge vessels and pipeline while the works are completed.

The five-month dredging project is being funded through the Palaszczuk Government’s Marine Infrastructure Fund. 

Work is expected to commence in early November following the completion of a pipeline to remove material to a rehandling facility alongside the rifle range on the Cook Highway, west of Port Douglas.

This announcement comes after the Palaszczuk Government recently confirmed it was investigating an upgrade to the Newell Beach boat ramp, and further demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving infrastructure for boaties in the Cook electorate.  Sediment sampling and plant mapping have commenced at Newell Beach.

ENDS

Media enquiries: Chris Vernon, 0416 800 004