A prominent Bowen business advocate has urged all parties involved in the redevelopment of the town's deteriorating jetty to respect the rich history of the structure.
Chairman of the town's Chamber of Commerce, Bruce Hedditch, made the comments following appointments by North Queensland Bulk Ports of a project director and lead design consultant for the multimillion-dollar project.
Nawar Spear will be project director, while global consultancy firm Arup Australia under its own project director Mr Shy Tay will act as lead design consultant.
Mr Spear was appointed by NQBP to lead the project, drawing on previous experience in developing, planning, and delivering large infrastructure programs and major construction projects for federal and state government agencies. He also has extensive experience working with regional communities in Queensland.
Arup Australia will lead the design during phase 1 of the project and leverage its experience in crafting waterfront destinations to lead the community consultation and deliver a finalised concept design.
NQBP CEO Brendan Webb, speaking at the Bowen-Collinsville Enterprise Breakfast Forum in Bowen on Friday February 16, welcomed the appointments as a major step closer to launching community consultation on the wharf’s design.
Mr Hedditch said early advice he had received was that due to decay, much of the original arm of the jetty, built in 1867, could be demolished, while the arm built more recently by NQBP for its tug base would be retained. He said a satisfactory compromise for the town's hopes for the jetty would also play into plans to acquire a Catalina seaplane for a memorial adjacent to the jetty.
"NQBP seems to have gotten a good committee together," Mr Hedditch said, "but we still have a long way to go."
"At least they are wanting to talk to the community."
He conceded that the original leg was "not in a good state."
Mr Hedditch said a large percentage of people who completed a survey of residents regarding its future wanted the entire structure retained.
