Scarborough Boat Harbour

Scarborough Boat Harbour is a vibrant part of the Redcliffe Peninsula community. The Department of Transport and Main Roads has undertaken a master planning process to help guide future activities at the harbour.

Benefits

• Improves safety
• Contributes to economy
• Contributes to regional growth

Key features

We have developed a master plan for Scarborough Boat Harbour (master plan). The master plan:

• establishes a new long-term vision
• continues to provide safe and efficient access to Queensland waters
• continues to provide berthing for recreational and commercial vessels
• continues to promote activities that are commercially and environmentally sustainable, support the maritime industry, and generate local employment and tourism
• identifies potential opportunities and constraints
• supports the development of a sense of identity, increased activity and connections
• supports leasing and investment decisions.

Current status

The master plan has now been finalised and released. It has been informed by:

• community feedback gathered in October 2021
• analysis of technical information, including:
• marine infrastructure and operations
• economics, supply chain and tourism
• land and marine environmental values
• property and leasing
• planning and urban design
• noise and air quality.

• targeted stakeholder engagement
• community and stakeholder feedback on the Draft Master Plan gathered between November 2023 to March 2024
• community and stakeholder feedback on the revised Draft Master Plan gathered in June 2024.

We are currently implementing the master plan. Please contact [email protected] to enquire further.

About the Scarborough Boat Harbour Master Plan

The master plan is a strategic decision-making tool that will provide greater certainty to government, investors, tenants, stakeholders and the community about the harbour's future form and activity. The master plan is a non-statutory document that will be used to guide future leasing and development decisions and implementation actions over time, while working within Queensland's existing legislative and governance processes.

Goal for master planning at Scarborough Boat Harbour

The master plan aims to sustainably support a growing maritime industry, engage the community, enhance the function and quality of the harbour, and elevate the harbour's recreation and tourism role in a manner that protects the important ecological values and processes of the Moreton Bay Marine Park and the surrounding environment.

Insights and feedback received throughout the master planning process has played a critical role in the development of the master plan.

Development and preparation of the master plan

We engaged a specialist multidisciplinary team to drive the development of the master plan and engaged with Moreton Bay City Council, state government agencies, leaseholders, harbour and industry stakeholders and the community to inform its development.

Using an evidenced-based approach and the stakeholder feedback received, the master planning process has explored the opportunities and constraints of the harbour and the environmental, commercial, recreational, public and private opportunities for the harbour in the future.

Harbour access and traffic

Traffic, transport and car parking matters have been considered during the preparation of the master plan. TMR undertook additional assessment of the existing traffic and parking situation at the harbour to identify current and potential future issues. The master plan acknowledges that a movement network and car parking strategy is required to address public and active transport, private and public car parking, recreational boating and car-trailer parking, and integration with the surrounding movement networks.

The master plan also recognises the need to work collaboratively with Moreton Bay City Council and the community, and that any future development will need to provide car parking, respect the residential setting of the harbour, and complement movement networks.

Future assessment and environmental processes

The master plan relies on and works within the existing legislative and leasing frameworks relevant to the harbour. The master plan is a strategic, non-statutory document, which would not enable development or change to occur without further approvals. Future leasing and development decisions would be guided by the master plan, however any existing planning and environmental regulatory requirements and processes would need to be complied with, such as Moreton Bay City Council's Planning Scheme and requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, where relevant.

Further investigations and studies to support its implementation are also anticipated to include detailed assessment of the 'investigation area' on the northern arm, in accordance with all relevant environmental and Marine Park legislation.

The master plan does not affect areas under the control of the Moreton Bay City Council. Outcomes for these areas are identified indicatively in the master plan to illustrate potential harbour opportunities and how they could relate to the surrounding area, however decision-making processes for these areas remain with the council.

Implementation and next steps

The master plan is a strategic document that will be used to guide decision-making and implementation actions over time. The master plan will be updated, monitored and reviewed into the future and existing lease arrangements would not be affected by the master plan.

To inform future changes at the harbour, further technical investigations and detailed design work will need to be undertaken, in collaboration with the Moreton Bay City Council and relevant state government agencies. Transition of the harbour towards the master plan vision will be achieved through staged improvements and changes to existing infrastructure, and new development and leasing opportunities. The master plan outcomes and initiatives will also be used to inform existing infrastructure planning and prioritisation programs.

Implementation of the master plan will require ongoing engagement and collaboration with Moreton Bay City Council, harbour and industry stakeholders, leaseholders, Traditional Owners and the community. A stakeholder and community engagement strategy will be prepared to support implementation of the master plan.

Project timeline overview

• September to October 2021 – Pre-planning and early community engagement was completed
• Early 2022 to late 2023 – Preparing supporting technical assessments, reviewing community feedback, and draft master preparation
• November 2023 to March 2024 – Public consultation on the draft master plan
• June 2024 – Community and stakeholder feedback on the revised master plan
• September 2024 – Master plan was finalised.

Consultation and Engagement

Collaborative engagement activities occurred from 2021 to 2024, where feedback, ideas and aspirations for the harbour were received from Moreton Bay City Council, state agencies, leaseholders, harbour and industry stakeholders and the community.

Download the Consultation and Engagement Insights Summary.

Thank you to everyone who participated and provided feedback on the master plan. Your insights and contributions have informed the master plan.