Sealink to dredge Redland Bay barge terminal at Weinam Ck for second car ramp

A ferry terminal, servicing four Moreton Bay islands, will undergo a major upgrade, after the state government approved plans for a $17 million car barge ramp at Redland Bay.

A ferry terminal, servicing four bay islands, will undergo a major upgrade to cater for tourists and residents, after the state government approved plans for a $17 million car barge ramp at Redland Bay.

Barge and ferry operator Sealink has approval to dredge parts of Weinam Creek at Redland Bay for a second ramp at its existing car barge terminal.

Sealink said it needed to upgrade the single-ramp terminal to provide berthing and loading for two modern vessels, currently being built near Yamba.

Last week, the boat operator announced barge fares would rise in September, when it will cost $75 for a car with tickets for island residents rising from $58 to $62.

The ticket office at the Redland Bay barge terminal.

In its design report, Sealink said the second barge ramp was needed to cater for ongoing and increasing demand for vehicle ferry services and the commercial and recreational development on the islands.

The new barges will be able to carry more cars and will be more efficient.

“The upgraded ferries will improve the quality of the voyage and reduce the amount of time taken for patrons to travel between the islands and the mainland,” the document said.

“The upgraded ferries will be equipped with modern technology that will allow the vessel to cross the bay in a wide range of weather conditions.

“An upgrade of the existing facility is required to accommodate the larger vessels and address ongoing issues associated with access and servicing.”

The terminal made headlines in 1992 when a well-known Brisbane gynaecologist Dr Neil Jackson drowned after his four-wheel-drive shot off the end of the rising ramp when he was trying to catch a departing vehicle barge.

The four-wheel-drive missed the barge by at least three metres and plunged into four metres of water and quickly sank.

Sealink has approvals to build the second barge ramp and dredge parts of the bay.

The dredging works have the consent of the Environment Department.

The department said Sealink had a valid Marine Park permit and all the associated approvals to conduct dredging at the Redland Bay vehicle ferry terminal near Weinam Creek.

“Sealink is among a number of local councils, public transport operators and private businesses that have necessary dredging permits to ensure the safety of passengers and staff, safe vessel berthing and navigational access to and from the terminal at high and low tide,” the department said.

“All dredging permits, including Sealink’s permit, include environmental protection conditions.”

It is still unknown where the spoils from the dredging will go, but the department said they would either be deposited at the authorised Mud Island Dredge Material Placement Area, or treated off site and disposed of at a licensed facility.

The works will reclaim about 150 sqm of tidal zone, allowing for additional barge capacity for up to three barges.

A second barge docking bay and ramp will be built at Redland Bay.

A two-storey ticketing office will be built at the entrance to the site and will provide an area for tickets to be issued to vehicles and passengers.

It will also include an administration office, crew facilities and toilets for passengers.

A single-vehicle entry lane to the ticket booth will also be built.

Some minor expansion of the dredge basin is proposed to accommodate the new, larger ferry fleet, however Sealink said the impact area was already subjected to ongoing disturbance as a result of existing ferry movements.

“Seagrass within the dredging footprint will be removed, however the larger area to the south may well re-establish as the depth of dredging within this area is limited as it comprises the batter between the base of the dredge basin and natural surface,” the Sealink report said.

“A narrow band of mangroves and marine plants on the northern side of the site will be lost as a result of the proposed upgrade to the existing seawall.”

It is unknown when building will start but Economic Development Queensland development assessment director Beatriz Gomez approved all plans with 37 conditions in June.