Boats to be launched at Seagull Street by end of the year

Published: 28 Jul 2021

Works are about to start on the new public boat ramp at Seagull Street in Slade Point.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council was delivering on a long-standing community request for a boat-launching facility at Slade Point.

“Following a public consultation session held last year, council made some minor changes to the design to increase landscape buffering between the car park and nearby residents,” Mayor Williamson said.

“The works include a boat ramp, 15 car-trailer parking bays and footpaths at Seagull Street,” he said.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the Queensland Government was pleased to assist with a $1 million grant contribution towards this much-needed facility for Slade Point.

“Finding a suitable location that meets the criteria for a new recreational boating facility is a rarity - this is a huge win for Mackay region boaties,” Mrs Gilbert said.

“The long-term benefits of the new boat ramp will ease boating traffic at other popular launching spots in the Mackay area and provide better access for local residents of Slade Point and nearby suburbs,” she said.

“Since 2017, the Queensland Government has invested in new and improved facilities at the Grasstree Beach boat ramp, the River Street boat ramp, St Helens Beach boat ramp, Mackay Harbour (Port Binnli) boat ramp, Campwin boat ramp and Hay Point floating walkway.

“As of June 30, 2021, there were more than 22,200 registered vessels in the Mackay region, so we know how important these facilities are for our community.”

The project is expected to take five months to complete, weather permitting.

The new boat ramp works are a Mackay Regional Council project with a $1 million grant contribution from the Queensland Government via Maritime Safety Queensland.

For more information on the project works, visit council’s online project hub Connecting Mackay.