More than 20 long-term boat moorings will be removed to make way for Brisbane City Council’s on-water development plans.
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The row of boat moorings near the City Botanic Gardens will soon be reduced by more than 40 per cent as the council proceeds with its proposed river walk and on-water access hub.
The council lodged its development application for the river access hub on August 24 proposing an on-water hub to cater for boat pick-up and drop-off for water taxi services, private motorised boats, jet-skis and smaller water craft like canoes and kayaks.
The assessment report, submitted as part of the development application, said about 23 of the existing mooring piles would be removed so the river access hub and associated riverwalk could be completed.
There are currently 54 moorings of various sizes at the Gardens Point Boat Harbour.
Boaties pay $70 a week to moor there and for an additional one-off fee of $20, oars lockers, laundry and toilet/shower facilities are available.
The council also offers 42 moorings for $125.90 a month at Breakfast Creek.
A council spokesman said the Gardens Point Boat Harbour provided long-term moorings close to Brisbane CBD, but did not have short-term facilities.
“Some of the moorings will be removed to make way for the river hub,” the spokesman said.
“All 11 occupants have been offered the chance to relocate within the mooring area.”
Greens councillor Jonathan Sri, who lives on a houseboat, said the council needed to recognise that removing moorings was potentially displacing people from their homes.
“It’s important to recognise when council displaces or removes moorings and doesn’t offer people alternative safe anchorages they end up anchoring loose in the river.”
Cr Sri said the council needed to make sure there were enough moorings available in the inner city.
“It’s better when people have more stable and secure moorings ... moorings give people a lot more stability and are safer in storms,” he said.
“Because housing has become so unaffordable for people on lower incomes residents are having to live on the water.
“Long-term there is definitely going to [be] more and more demand for moorings like this.”
The council will also build river hubs and recreation hubs at New Farm Park, Dutton Park, West End and Kingsford Smith Drive by late 2019.
