Work will start on site for the Macleay Island $8.5 million car park project in mid to late August.
The handover of the site to the successful tender, Pensar Civil Pty Ltd took place on Macleay Island on Friday July 21.
This was pending a full review of all the WHS documentation and traffic management plans and it was expected off site workings would begin immediately until occupation of the site in mid to late August.
“There is a significant amount of preparation for a project of this size,” Mr Karl Yunker, Managing Director of Pensar told The Friendly Bay Islander.
A time line for the project has been evaluated and it is expected that the construction of the Macleay Island Foreshore Project will take 12-14months. This, of course, will be subject to weather interruptions.
When asked how many people would be involved with the big island project, Mr Yunker said:”
“It is a complex project with construction specialists required for different aspects of the project.
“You can expect to see up to 30 personnel on site at any one time,” they said.
All the construction work will be completed by Pensar Civil Pty Ltd.
Council Officers from Redland City Council’s project delivery group will be ensuring that the constructed infrastructure complies with the detailed design as well as meeting all the requirements specified within the contract.
The design of the entire area has remained unchanged from when the plans that were released in October of last year.
The new car park will provide an additional 147 car parks on Macleay Island, including an additional six disabled car parks, 26 car-trailer parks and eight motorcycle parks, as well as an improved drop-off zone and safer vehicle access.
The construction process also includes a new exit road that will link in with the very start of High Central Road.
The new precinct has been designed to minimise interaction between vehicles and pedestrians by having designated walkways throughout the facility.
Foreshore Redevelopment to Solve Parking, Boating, Asbestos Issues
The $8.5 million upgrade of the Macleay Island foreshore precinct will provide substantial long term improvements to island parking issues, greater access for recreational boaties and sealing asbestos contamination on the foreshore.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said civil construction group Pensar Civil Pty Ltd had been awarded the contract to construct a new seawall and sealed car park, associated road works and marine infrastructure, a new two-lane recreational boat ramp, a third lane for a future floating walkway, and access stairs.
“This is the largest single infrastructure project in the 2017-2018 budget and the entire foreshore project has been designed to entomb any possible presence of asbestos at the site,” Cr Williams said.
“The redevelopment will provide an additional 147 car parks, including an additional six disabled car parks, 26 car-trailer parks and eight motorcycle parks, as well as an improved drop-off zone and safer vehicle access.
“The new precinct has been designed to minimise interaction between vehicles and pedestrians by having designated walkways throughout the facility.
“Barge traffic and recreational boat ramp users will also be separated in the new design, with the new boat ramp being constructed to the west of the ferry terminal.
“The existing rock revetment wall will be extended and a formalised beach landing area designed to minimise the impacts of the expanded facility.
“Fully landscaped bio retention basins will also be built to ensure that stormwater discharged from the site will be of the highest quality possible.”
Divisional Councillor Mark Edwards said the Macleay Island foreshore upgrade reflects years of effort to gain works approval and will benefit all the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
“The SMBI are a unique part of our city and the Macleay foreshore project is just part of Council’s ongoing commitment to investing in and improving infrastructure, parks and community facilities on the SMBI,” he said.
“In addition to Macleay island foreshore works, Council’s 2017-18 budget includes additional investment towards improved SMBI liveability and strengthening island economies with $3.4 million for more green road sealing and a further $1.15 million for boat ramps and marine infrastructure.”
The Queensland Government had contributed more than $1.9 million towards the construction of the new recreational boat ramp from the Marine Infrastructure Fund.
A government spokesperson said: “I am pleased to see this project coming to fruition as the new boat ramp will be a vital piece of public marine infrastructure for the island community”.
“This is a great example of the state and local governments working together to deliver benefits for Queenslanders.”