PUBLIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR HORN ISLAND WORKS
PCQ has asked for the public’s patience during the upcoming improvement works to marine facilities on Horn Island.
As part of a major program of works on the island, valued in total at over $2.1 million, PCQ will be carrying out major improvement works to the Horn Island Passenger Facility.
With support from Queensland Transport, part of that work will include improvements to the public boat ramp which forms part of the facility.
PCQ CEO, Brad Fish, said that because of the scale of the work, vehicle access to the wharf/pontoon loading and unloading area would be restricted and the boat ramp will not be able to be used during the upgrade works.
For safety reasons, sections of the causeway will be fenced off. Public access on the causeway and wharf will be restricted to limited periods of time before and after schedule passenger services. Passenger luggage will be transported by authorised vehicles and able passengers will be expected to walk to and from the passenger wharf.
Public access will be allowed on the facility when there is no work going on.
Because of restrictions to the causeway during work times, boaties who currently tie up craft to the pontoon are advised to not do so during work hours while the project is underway.
Mr Fish asked for the public’s understanding during this time. “We appreciate there will be inconvenience, but it is necessary to allow this important work to be done which will result in vastly improved facilities.”
The work is due to start at the beginning of June and last for five months.
“We have been clear to the contractors that we want public inconvenience kept to a minimum and for that reason the work will be finalised as quickly as possible.
Mr Fish said while the project was underway pedestrian access to the causeway would be restricted. This way, the passenger facility could still be operational while the upgrade occurred. Some out of hours work will be required.
The causeway will be resurfaced with concrete meaning it will be wider and higher, reducing the occurrences of wave over-topping.
Ferries to and from Horn Island will continue to use the passenger facility. However, temporary arrangements will be put in place for the transportation of luggage to the wharf during that time and for emergency transfers.
Works on the passenger facility will also include the construction of a separate pedestrian walkway similar to that on the Engineers Wharf on Thursday Island, with a curb separating vehicle traffic from pedestrians.
Resurfacing work on the boat ramp will provide a better and safer facility.
During the project, Horn Island and other Torres boaties wanting to land and launch boats on Horn Island can do so at the ramp adjacent to the water pipeline.
ends
For further information:
Gary Campbell
Corporate Relations Manager
Ports Corporation of Queensland
Phone 3224 4346
11 May 2006
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