Tingira Street boat ramp to be upgraded by Cairns company

Cairns boaties are one step closer to safer, more accessible facilities with the awarding of a $628,000 contract to upgrade the Tingira Street boat ramp in Far North Queensland.

Main Roads and Ports Minister Mark Bailey announced local Cairns-based company, Koppens Developments, was successful in winning the contract.

“It’s great to see local expertise and experience will be used to deliver this important infrastructure for the local boating community,” Mr Bailey said

“The project will involve widening the existing five-lane boat ramp by one lane and the installation of a floating walkway on the downstream side of the ramp.”

Mr Bailey said another Queensland company, The Jetty Specialists, would work with Koppens to design, fabricate and install the floating walkway.

“Design works for the floating walkway are underway and fabrication has started. Boaties will see major works starting on site around late April.”

“The floating walkway will be a great addition, and will make launching and retrieval of boats easier, especially for people of all abilities – children, people with a disability and the elderly,” Mr Bailey said.

“Queensland has an abundance of rivers, creeks and inlets - improving access to the water is an important part of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to boatie.”

Mr Bailey said the good news for Far North Queensland boaties would continue, with more projects planned by the Palaszczuk Government.

“The Palaszczuk Government recently announced more marine infrastructure upgrade projects for the North, including replacing the single-land Redbank Creek boat ramp with a new four-lane facility and installing a floating walkway,” he said.

“There are also plans to add an additional lane to the Bellenden Ker boat ramp, making it a new three-lane facility.”

Planning and design is underway on these projects with construction expected to start in the 2016/17 financial year.

“The Palaszczuk Government gets the importance of good ramps and boating infrastructure. One in every 19 Queenslanders is a boatie, and the popularity of boating and fishing is on the rise - it’s important to provide facilities that will meet this demand,” Mr Bailey said.

“That’s why we’re investing more than $30 million in vital boating infrastructure upgrades under the Marine Infrastructure fund over the next two years.  

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring that boating areas across Queensland - like Cairns - have great facilities that the locals can enjoy, as well as providing a boost for local tourism.”

ENDS

Media Contacts:     Tim Shipstone       3719 7321

                                 Amy Hunter          3719 7324