Access to the bay at Weinam Creek has been improved with the opening of a new recreational boat ramp boasting three lanes and a floating pontoon.
Mayor Jos Mitchell said the new ramp, connected to the Moores Road car park, was another welcome piece to the Weinam Creek project.
“The ramp was delivered by Redland Investment Corporation (RIC) and Redland City Council as part of the phased redevelopment of the Weinam Creek Priority Development Area (PDA),” the Mayor said.
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“This is an important milestone in the ongoing rejuvenation process and will ensure boaties in Redland Bay and beyond have access to modern, high-quality facilities.
“One of the groups that will benefit from the new ramp is the Redlands Sea Dragons, who moved into a new clubhouse on Moores Road last year and will use the ramp for their activities.
“The repositioning of the boat ramp to the southern end of Weinam Creek, away from the ferry terminal, is designed to alleviate parking pressures and assist with the flow of traffic.
“There will also be lifestyle benefits for locals and visitors to Redlands Coast, with the new ramp making it easier to access the islands and experience the city’s expansive coastline and diverse marine life.”
The new ramp has been built with recreational boaties front of mind, featuring three dedicated launching bays and a pontoon designed for smoother and more efficient queuing.
“The works also included 40 new 72-hour trailer parking bays and the construction of a rock seawall on the shoulders of the ramp to protect users as they launch their vessels,” the Mayor said.
“A further 45 trailer parks will be delivered in the Moores Road parking area when the multi-level car park opens during a future stage of the project, unlocking more space for boaties.
“One of the key considerations for building the new ramp was freeing up space for emergency services, with first-responder vessels being given exclusive access to the old ramp off Banana Street.
“This move is intended to improve emergency response times for residents on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands (SMBI) and will also help Redland Bay Coast Guard respond swiftly to incidents on the water.
“I would like to thank the Redlands Coast community for their patience and cooperation during this construction phase.”
Division 5 Councillor Shane Rendalls said the ramp had been built to suit the needs of local boaties and would be a valued community asset for many years to come.
“I’ve no doubt users will appreciate having access to three dedicated lanes and a pontoon, while SMBI residents will benefit from less congestion near the ferry terminal,” Cr Rendalls said.
“Giving emergency vessels exclusive use of the old ramp will also ensure our first responders have streamlined and priority access to the bay in emergency situations.
“This ramp is just one step in the redevelopment of the Weinam Creek precinct, which is an exciting, intergenerational project that will turn the site into a major community hub.
“Being led by RIC, the plans for Marina Redland Bay include more car parks for SMBI commuters, an activated foreshore with more open space, and a range of retail and cafe amenities.”
Redlands Sea Dragons President Rosemary Andrews said the ramp was a wonderful addition to the precinct and would be well used by the club and its members.
“The new ramp and pontoon provides our club with convenient and safe access to the water, right next to our facilities,” Ms Andrews said.
“It will make a real difference for our members, streamlining our activities and making it easier for everyone to enjoy time on the water.”
Redland Bay Coast Guard Commander David Bell said first responders being granted exclusive use of the old ramp would improve accessibility to the bay.
“In our line of work, every second counts and being able to launch our vessels without interference will make all the difference in emergency situations,” he said.
“We are grateful that the existing ramp has been retained for first responders and know it will help us continue to keep our community safe on the water.”
For more information about the Weinam Creek redevelopment project, visit the Redland City Council Your Say page.
Redland City Council provides a suite of services to 166,873 residents and more than 63,000 residential households across Redlands Coast. Our naturally wonderful city on Quandamooka Country is home to more than 335 kilometres of coastline, six island communities and 12 mainland suburbs.
