Fix it: Govt orders Kangaroo Point boardwalk to shut amid safety concerns
The State Government has ordered a popular riverfront CBD boardwalk be immediately shut after engineers found major structural problems. But marina users are pleading for help.
Southeast
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The manager of Dockside Marina has been ordered to immediately shut the popular riverfront boardwalk running past the Kangaroo Point site after engineers revealed major structural faults.
But recreational boaties and the last remaining Dockside floating business have slammed the Department of Resources for creating a “Berlin Wall’’ that would also force the total closure of the marina.
They said there had been zero consultation with them and part of the boardwalk could instead be closed, from B finger south, which would address any safety issues while retaining access for boaties.
It was the latest blow for marina manager Ken Allsop after the department told him floating business including cruise boats, Jetski Brisbane and Goboat electric boat hire had to find somewhere else to tie up.
The news comes as Council was due to start work on Monday (June 5) on a new Dockside CityCat terminal, at the southern end of the boardwalk.
DoR last Friday wrote to Mr Allsop, ordering him to immediately put up fencing to close public access.
It also gave him 28 days to fix a litany of problems uncovered in a Meecham Consulting Engineers report, dated May 8.
Mr Allsop was contacted for comment.
The Meecham report said while the boardwalk was still safely able to carry the present low level of pedestrian activity, it recommended emergency vehicle access and large crowds be immediately prevented from accessing the 200-300m long boardwalk.
“The existing decking boards on all three structures (northern and southern promenade boardwalks and Marina C gangway) are dilapidated, with some on the verge of total failure,’’ it said.
“There is considerable risk of injury to boardwalk users due to the uneven surface, which presents a trip hazard.’’
The condition of timber decking ranged from poor to very poor, with obvious cracking, rust and concrete cancer on many support structures, the report concluded.
It said consideration should be given to total demolition of balustrades and replacement with stainless steel, as well as consideration of completely rebuilding the boardwalk.
“It is believed that the hardwood timber used for the decking came off a nearby, 30-year-old shipyard building which was being demolished at the time the boardwalk was constructed,’’ the report said.
“As such, these elements are considerably older than the structure itself and as such are well beyond their usable life.
“The joists which are of considerable age, are rotting and splitting and are contributing
to the unevenness of the decking surface.
“Furthermore, the joists are proving to be a problem for maintenance staff who are attempting to resecure loose decking boards in an effort to keep the structures operational.
“Approximately half of the existing concrete bearers on the (southern promenade) are showing signs of significant concrete cancer.
“We would recommend immediate replacement of these elements and access to emergency
vehicles and to crowds prevented until this is completed, especially for potential crowd
loading during future events such as the Riverfire Festival.
“Given the design life of the original structure has approached and the disruption that will be
caused by the abovementioned recommended urgent remedial works to the marina
operations, the public boardwalk users and the local residents, some consideration to
wholesale demolition and rebuild of this asset is considered prudent.’’
Recreational and commercial boat owner Martin Brennan, who has several boats tied up at the marina, accused the department of wanting to drive Mr Allsop out of business.
He demanded a meeting with all marina users, department officials and the engineer to discuss options to address safety while retaining access for boat owners.
Mr Brennan said the boardwalk was not used during Riverfire as fireworks were not visible from it, while emergency vehicles were unable to get near the boardwalk because of obstructed access on a nearby side road.
“To ask him (Mr Allsop) to fix the entire boardwalk in 28 days is just not achievable,’’ he said.
“His lease also says he is responsible only for maintenance and a lot of this goes well beyond that.
“One of the nearby unit owners told me their building’s fire exit goes straight out on to the northern end of the boardwalk.
“They haven’t thought this through. It’s heavy-handed, it’s madness and you can’t just put up a Berlin Wall and lock us all out.’’
A DoR spokesman said the Government recognised the value of the tourism operators on the Brisbane River.
“However, it is expected lessees on government property must meet the conditions on their leases,’’ he said.
“The lessee of Dockside has been issued notices over public safety concerns for the boardwalk and electrical systems at the marina.
“The Department of Resources will continue to work with the lessee to ensure he complies with the terms of his lease.’’
The development comes as Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner confirmed a new Dockside ferry terminal would reopen next year, with work on the bigger and fully accessible terminal to begin on Monday.
Cr Schrinner, who has previously spoken out against DoR’s eviction of commercial floating businesses from the marina, said the new terminal was a “bespoke’’ single-berth design meeting all accessibility requirements, with waiting space and seating for passengers.
“These upgrades will ensure everyone can enjoy Council’s ferry services, including passengers with a disability, their families and carers, older residents, passengers using a mobility device and parents with infants in prams,’’ he said.
Most of the fabrication work for the new ferry terminal structure would be done offsite.
Works onsite would include removing existing on-water infrastructure from the old terminal, installing a new fixed walkway and a flood-resilient gangway and pontoon.
Barge-mounted cranes and machinery would be used for piling and concrete pours to create support structures.
Part of the southern section of the adjacent Dockside timber boardwalk would be replaced with a more resilient concrete walkway.
Local supplier Fitzgerald Constructions Australia would deliver the project.
Works on the nearby, downstream Mowbray Park ferry terminal upgrade would start after the completion of the Dockside terminal upgrade.
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