Revealed: Preferred design for GKI snorkelling beaches’ headland walkways

The Great Keppel Island beach-to-beaches boardwalk project takes a big step, but not everyone is happy. SEE THE DESIGNS

An artist’s impression showing the proposed design of the boardwalk linking Fisherman’s Beach and Shelving Beach. The images are from a high level concept plan that the appointed architect has produced. They are intended as guides only and may not accurately reflect the exact alignment or specifications of the boardwalk. Changes may be made as the project progresses into detail design and further consultation is held with relevant stakeholders.

The multi-million boardwalk project to link Great Keppel Island’s popular snorkelling beaches via headland walkways is taking shape as it reaches the preferred design stage.

Livingstone Shire councillors have endorsed the preferred boardwalk options at an Ordinary Meeting in March, but the decision included some controversy about the selected route of the proposed walking trail on Fisherman’s Beach as it will pass in front of residents’ houses.

Cr Andrea Friend stressed the decision was only to go to the detailed design stage at this point and once that process had reached the 80 per cent stage it would go back for further public consultation to allow residents to have a further say before it goes back to council for a final approval on construction.

An artist’s impression showing the proposed design of the boardwalk linking Fisherman's Beach and Shelving Beach.

Mayor Adam Belot said the next challenge would be how much council could deliver within the $4m boardwalks’ budget which is fully funded by the State Government.

“This process will help inform us on the accurate costs that the next steps look like,’ he said.

“Maybe, how much we can build, or how little we can build.”

Cr Belot said he recognised some GKI residents would be “bitterly opposed” to the Fisherman’s Beach esplanade route.

“Those private residents made it clear that they do not support this,” he said.

“(But) there is good reason for channelling people along the esplanade, that’s the sensible, sustainable interaction with the coastline.

“I feel it (pathway behind the houses) would be compromising really for the balance of the community and that luxury (taking pathways behind beach front houses) is not afforded on the mainland and neither should it be.

“But that’s the role we play to make the best decision on behalf of the entire community we represent.”

Council heard that to take the pathway behind the houses would result in significant cost implications for an additional 200m of track along with the perception that most people would not utilise the trail if it did go behind.

There was also a risk of unsocial and criminal behaviour as thousands of people would be using the walkway behind the residents’ property.

This artist’s impression shows what the Shelving Beach to Monkey Beach boardwalk on GKI might look like.

The preferred boardwalk options are:

Site 1 Fisherman’s Beach: A 2.5m wide low profile, low-impact Class 1 walking trail along Fisherman’s Beach, compliant with the existing trail along the Old Resort and a new trail located within the esplanade area, and as far as practical offset from residents’ premises to minimise impacts.

Site 2: Fisherman – Shelving Beach Headland: A 2m-2.5m wide Class 1 boardwalk structure (Fiber Reinforced Polymer material) around the Fisherman’s to Shelving Beach headland, that has wider 3m-4m sections at locations for viewing and photo opportunities.

Site 3: Shelving – Monkey Beach Headland: A nominal 2.5m wide Class 3 boardwalk structure (Fiber Reinforced Polymer material) around the Shelving to Monkey Beach headland, that focuses on addressing the critical sections only to enable a level of access for most abilities. Investigate suitability for a small lookout at an optimal location for viewing and photo opportunities.

 Class 1: Highly developed with paved surfaces, ramps, and extensive signage, suitable for universal access, including wheelchairs and prams. Generally compliant with access and mobility.

Class 3: Moderate difficulty with natural surfaces and occasional steep sections, requiring moderate fitness and basic bushwalking experience.

The preferred building material is Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) as it has significant advantages compared with traditional materials and is resistant to corrosion, lightweight yet strong, easy to install and maintain. It usually lasts between 40 and 50 years.

The project timeline for detailed design is mid-June 2025, construction tender release is early July 2025, andconstruction tenders close early August 2025.

The construction tender will be awarded late August 2025.

Originally published as Revealed: Preferred design for GKI snorkelling beaches’ headland walkways