On 1 June, Transport and Main Roads (TMR) took over the ownership and management of the three boat harbours located at Manly, Scarborough and Cabbage Tree Creek from the Port of Brisbane Corporation.

TMR now manages a total of eight harbours state-wide, these include Manly, Scarborough, Cabbage Tree Creek (near Shorncliffe), Mooloolaba, Snapper Creek (Tin Can Bay), Urangan (Hervey Bay), Rosslyn Bay (near Yeppoon) and Bowen.

The good news for the harbours is they remain Queensland Government owned assets. The transfer of the three new harbours has resulted in infrastructure assets valued at around $49 million coming onto TMR’s books.

TMR manages its boat harbours according to commercial principles. It also provides other services, such as maintaining public facilities and contract dredging, in cooperation with harbour managers.

Boat harbours also service a number of key local industries that are the foundation of regional marine employment.