The State Government is consulting about plans to upgrade the Wellington Point boating facilities to provide increased capacity for launching and retrieval of trailer boats, including more parking for vehicles with trailers.
We explained the various design options in: State Government plans for Wellington Point boating facilities upgrade
The State Government consultation process is currently focused on the needs of trailer boat and jet ski users.
Little consideration is being given to the many other people who visit Wellington Point Reserve for picnicking, relaxing, and use of non-motorized watercraft such as windsurfers.
Have your say about Wellington Point boating facilities
You can have your say, until Sunday 31 May 2026, by sending an email with your comments to: boatinginfrastructure@msq.qld.gov.au
Alternatively, you can complete an online survey form
If you think the State Government should consider the impacts of its development plans on the environment and on people wishing to enjoy this area for activities which don’t involve power boats and jet skis, then consider using the points below, drafted by a Wellington Point resident.
Multi-use reserve
The Wellington Point Reserve is a multi-use reserve, unlike some other boat ramp facilities in the Redlands. Hence the non-boating community far outnumber the power boating community. This broader community includes people picnicking and relaxing, and those undertaking active, clean recreations such as wind and kite surfing, wing foiling, swimming, kayaking, running and walking. All Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) proposals result in visitors having reduced foreshore picnicking facilities, playground and green space available for recreation.
Bay access blocked to wind and kite surfing, and wing foiling community
All three proposals block access to launch and return safely to shore in south-easterly wind directions, a very frequent wind direction. This is because these wind driven craft are restricted in the direction of travel relative to the prevailing wind direction. As well, the groynes produce a low wind area with increased variability some distance upwind from the groyne. Wing foilers and wind surfers also have to sail in the ‘lagoon’ that forms just east and south-east of the jetty as the tide recedes, as this provides flatter water and a safer area, with foil boards requiring deeper water to avoid the foil hitting the bottom. Hence these proposals make it less safe and much more difficult for this community to access the Bay and enjoy these fun healthy recreations.
Lack of consultation previously
The 2023 BMT report to MSQ claims that consultation was undertaken with stakeholders at the time. No such consultation was undertaken with the wind and kite surfing and wing foiling community.
Mostly benefits a small number of the power boating community
The proposal mostly benefits a small number of the power boating community who wish to take mostly larger boats out in winds averaging above about 10knots (20 km/hr) or more when conditions become less safe and uncomfortable for travel across the exposed waters directly off Wellington Point.
Does little to improve safety
The proposal does not increase safety for the power boating community as the greatest danger is boats overturning or being swamped in stronger wind / wave conditions. These conditions rapidly occur off Wellington Point as wind speeds increase above 10 to 15 knots with waves rising above 1.5 metres. There is little problem with safely launching at the existing boat ramps in lighter winds, particularly from half to low tide as wave action is small due to shielding from the sandbanks to the east and south-east.
Trailer parking is already poor use of public land
The trailer parking at Wellington Point is an inefficient use of both public monies and space. Data collected over 5 months by the Redland City Council and locals showed clearly that the trailer parking spaces are under-utilized for most weekend days and public holidays, except on a few occasions each year. This is because this boat ramp puts boaties in a very wind / wave exposed area of Moreton Bay with longer travel times to sheltered waters. So most boaties prefer to use other more sheltered boat ramps unless winds are less than 10 knots.
Poor use of public money
The 2023 BMT report, on which this proposal is based, estimates expenditure in the range of $3 million to $9 million. This is likely to blow out to more and is a poor use of tax payers money as it mostly benefits a small number of the power boating community. That makes it a very expense project on a per capita benefit basis.
Environmental Impacts will be significant
There will be considerable disturbance to the local environment and wildlife, including turtles, dugong, dolphins, fish as well as local and migratory birds. This includes noise and mud plumes that will impact sea grass beds nearby and fisheries. The area is right next to the Ramsar area for migratory birds, and should be protected.
Local residents will be strongly impacted
This project will take many months to construction will impact local residents greatly, including noise, diesel fumes and access. This could affect the mental and physical health of some.
Climate change impacts are ignored
The future impacts of climate change due to sea level rise in particular are not considered as current predictions project a 0.8m sea level rise by 2100. This effectively covers this area at high tide. However, recent research suggests that most estimates are too low due to a non-linear increase in both surface air temperatures and associated sea water temperatures, and concerns with incorrect datums used in previous projections of regional sea level rise. Negative impacts are already occurring with undercutting erosion of the western side of the Point.
Conclusions and solutions
I reject these proposals as they currently are, as they don’t accurately meet the Community Benefits claimed, and mostly benefit a very small number of the power boating community. The preferred option is to leave it as it is and consult more widely.
Alternative solution
The size of the groyne could be reduced down to about the size and length of the existing groyne on the northern side of the jetty, and located to the southern side of the main boat ramp, with possibly a floating pontoon for easier access and beach area.
This alternative solution is illustrated below:
