At today’s council meeting it was unanimously decided to engage Cardno Ullman and Nolan for the Development of a Reconfiguration Plan for the Shute Harbour Facilities which will include car parking, buildings, boat ramps and pontoons.

Whitsunday Regional Council CEO Barry Omundson said council has decided on the above strategy after receiving reports from consultants engaged to do a peer review of each of the previous reports into the state of repair/disrepair of the Shute Harbour facilities.

“A review of what services Council should be providing and to whom is important to explore a staged redevelopment proposal of the facilities at Shute Harbour.

“That redevelopment proposal will take in all facets from car parking, buildings, boat ramps and pontoons to deliver the best possible outcome going forward.”

Mr Omundson stressed there will be no restriction of access for recreational boaties and fisherman who currently utilise the boat ramp and car and trailer parking facilities at Shute Harbour.

“To the contrary Council is keen to work with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to explore joint venture project opportunities which would improve facilities for boaties by increasing boat ramp size and parking within the Shute Harbour precinct.

“The peer review and investigations also determined that South Molle Jetty was in a very poor state of repair, unsafe and not a viable piece of infrastructure.”

Mr Omundson said as a result of the findings council today also accepted a tender from Cardno Ullman and Nolan to project manage the demolition of South Molle Jetty at Shute Harbour Transit Facility.

Users of the South Molle Jetty will be given three months to find alternate arrangements for their vessels.

Council has engaged consultants to review the usage of the jetty, the size and type of vessel, fees and charges, passenger numbers and alternative providers before making any further decisions.