Cannonvale boat ramp election promise fulfilled

Whitsunday boaties will benefit from a $3 million upgrade to the Cannonvale boat ramp, meeting a Palaszczuk Government election commitment.

Minister for Main Roads and Ports Mark Bailey inspected the volunteer marine rescue base today and said preliminary work will start this week.

“The Cannonvale boat ramp has been a safety issue for some time, with several collisions and near misses because of its exposure to northerly winds,” he said.

“I have spoken to many locals who have been calling for this issue to be fixed and I’m very happy to deliver on our election promise of upgrading this piece of infrastructure.”

Mr Bailey said the project would upgrade the existing boat ramp, build a breakwater and install a new floating walkway.

“The new breakwater will shelter the boat ramp and floating walkway enhancing safety for boaties and minimising damage from cyclones,” he said.

The upgrade has been made possible thanks to a $30 million boost to the Marine Infrastructure Fund over two years, which was announced in the budget.

“It’s great news for local businesses with the construction contracts awarded to the Jetty Specialists, a Queensland company, showing Labor’s commitment to local jobs,” Mr Bailey said.

The construction is expected to finish in early December, weather permitting.

“Whitsunday Regional Council will this week start some early works, such as diverting footpath traffic, some fencing and site signage,” Mr Bailey said.

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