Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell and Division 5 Councillor Shane Rendalls open the new Weinam Creek boat ramp. Photo: Supplied.
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.
“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.
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.”
