RUSSELL NEW JETTY BIG MOVE SET FOR KING TIDE MARCH 8
The first of the $34 million jetties for the Southern Bay Islands is set to be manoeuvred into Moreton Bay on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
It is no surprise that this date coincides with a king tide, which will make the complicated move easier than it might have been.
It will be here where the superstructure works will be carried out ready for the new jetty to be moved to Russell Island about mid 2022 with the competition date set for the second half of this new year.
The manoeuvre out into Moreton Bay at the Thornlands site, has allowed the next set of pontoons to be delivered from the Sunshine Coast.
These are the pontoons for the new Macleay Island jetty, the second structure of the four to be built and installed.
Member for Redlands, Kim Richards, Redland City Council Mayor Karen Williams and Division 5 Councillor Mark Edwards were taken on a tour of the first of the massive jetty structures at Thornlands just prior to Christmas.
All three were ‘impressed’ with the size of the structure and the speed of the project up until this point in time.
Apparently the jetties for Russell Island and Macleay Island are of similar size.
Member for Redlands Kim Richards said this was good news for the SMBI communities on Russell, Macleay, Lamb and Karragarra islands, with overall works planned for completion in mid-2023.
"This project will deliver new ferry terminals at Russell, Macleay, Lamb, and Karragarra islands, which is a fantastic outcome for residents and visitors coming to our part of the world,” Ms Richards said.
The jetties for Lamb and Karragarra are believed to be one-third smaller in area of the bigger structures.
Cr Mark Edwards told The Friendly Bay Islander that islanders should be ‘more than impressed’ with the final outcome of the jetties.
He also said that the famous ‘welcome’ mosaic of Russell Island that was a highlight of the old jetty, would be a major part of the new jetty.
“A special concrete wall will support the mosaic. It will be located in a position closer to the entry to the jetty.”
Cr Edwards said that many islander had been concerned when the mosaic had been taken down during the removal of the old jetty structure.
“It has been stored properly and will have pride-of-place as part of the new structure,” the councillor said.
MP Kim Richards said the works on the jetties by the contractors had been ‘extremely efficient’.
She said part of the old structure would include repurposing for recreational use such as fishing and mooring.
The major works on the project have been carried out by The Jetty Specialists (TJS) from the Sunshine Coast, with Aluminium Marine at Thornlands a sub-contractor to the major contract.
Mayor Karen Williams said: “Our SMBI communities have waited a long time to see these essential island transportation hubs improved.
“It will be exciting to see the works take place over the next 18 months following years of planning and community consultation.
“The large Russell Island jetty will be followed by a similar sized jetty for Macleay Island and then the slightly smaller structures for Lamb and Karragarra Islands.
“This joint project is an example of what can be achieved when different levels of government work together and I would like to thank the State Government for their support,” the mayor said.
For more information on the project, visit the project page at yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/upgrade-of-smbi-ferry-terminals or email the TMR project team at boatinginfrastructure@msq.qld.gov.au
MP Kim Richards and Cr Mark Edwards at the Thornlands jetty construction site.