Business
20 September, 2023
Hooked on $22m boat ramp
THE new $22.4 million Yorkeys Knob boating facility – the first of its kind for Queensland boaties – has been officially opened by Transport Minister Mark Bailey and Barron River MP Craig Crawford.
The facility, featuring a six-lane boat ramp with three floating walkways, was jointly funded by Transport and Main Roads and Cairns Regional Council.
Planning for the project has been underway since 2017, onsite works started in February 2022, with completion in early-September. It opened just in time for the September school holidays and the Black Marlin fishing season.
Mr Crawford said Cairns residents loved boating and fishing with about one vessel for every 14 residents.
"With six lanes and 135 car-trailer parking bays, this new boat ramp will drastically reduce overcrowding and 'ramp rage' on those perfect days when everyone wants to get out to the Reef,” he said.
"It has been an election promise and passion project of mine for nine years, and I’m absolutely stoked to see it officially open."
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the government committed to build the new mini-harbour as a 2017 election promise.
"Craig Crawford has taken up the cause of FNQ boaties and driven this huge project from the get-go," he said.
"It is a great credit to him that he has never given up and seen it through to opening as it will make a huge difference for local boaties."
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the council contributed $3.5m to help fund the much-awaited project.
