Tingira Street boat ramp open for Boaties

Cairns boaties can access the upgraded Tingira Street boat ramp, as it officially opens to the public today (Monday June 6).

Minister for Main Roads and Ports Mark Bailey said the upgraded boat ramp ensured a safer and more accessible facility for local residents. 

“This $628,000 project involved widening the existing five-lane boat ramp by one lane and the installation of a floating walkway on the downstream side of the ramp, which were undertaken by local Cairns-based company Koppens Developments,” he 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 boaties.

“Local Barron River MP Craig Crawford has been a strong advocate for this upgrade and for further projects that will benefit boaties locally in Cairns.”

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford welcomed the opening of the new Tingira Street boat ramp and paid tribute to the local construction company.

“It’s great that local expertise is being used to deliver these important infrastructure projects to the local boating community,” Mr Crawford said.

“Koppens are a local civil construction company with over 80 years’ experience in Cairns and surrounding areas and they’ve done a great job.

“Another Queensland company, The Jetty Specialists, worked with Koppens to design, make and install the floating walkway.

“The floating walkway is a great addition, and will make launching and retrieval of boats easier for everyone, including children, people with a disability and the elderly.

“The floating walkway will also help reduce congestion, especially at busy times.

“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.”

“I’m proud to be able to drive these projects as local MP and will continue to support and back our local boaties.”

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

ENDS

Media contact: Anna Jabour 0429 890 942