Rainbow Beach barge office, service station, takeaway outlet to be built

Construction has begun on a large-scale refurbishment and expansion at Rainbow Beach, that will accommodate several new enterprises.

Construction on a large-scale refurbishment of the Rainbow Beach Manta Ray Barge ticket office has begun after it was closed more than a year ago.

The barge office has been closed to the public since the end of July 2021, and visitors looking to secure a booking to Fraser Island have had to book at least one day in advance by phone.

There has been no word yet on when the barge office will reopen.

Town Planner for Building Suncoast Green, who are working in conjunction with developers Starwand Pty Ltd on the project, Will Johnson said construction had been delayed by complications from the Covid pandemic and rising construction costs.

The refurbishment was approved by Gympie Regional Council in September 2020.

Development application documents show the pink area will be the new Manta Ray Barge ticket office, the blue will be the new service station, and the aqua area will be the new takeaway outlet. The orange area is the petrol pumps.

Development application documents state the barge office will be accompanied by a new takeaway food shop and a new service station, the latter of which will be sandwiched between the office and the restaurant.

The service station will become the third one in Rainbow Beach, however it is yet to be confirmed which company will take it over.

Additionally, it is yet to be confirmed which restaurant will be built next to the service station.

An end date on the project is also yet to be confirmed.

It comes as work to clear the former Rainbow Shores Golf Course to make way for a new housing estate began in June.