Thursday Island residents are calling recent works to its Engineer’s Wharf and Victoria Parade area as the best ever by Torres Shire Council.
Located 39 kilometres north of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Thursday Island is the administrative and commercial centre of Torres Shire. It covers 3.5 square kilometres and has a population of 3,000 people.
Engineer’s Wharf is home to the Island’s ferry passenger terminal, with people travelling to and from nearby Horn Island, as well as the mainland.
Council CEO Bernie McCarthy said this entrance to the historic and beautiful Thursday Island was missing something.
“The area from Engineer’s Wharf was tired and unattractive,” he said. “It was disorganised, dusty, muddy and overgrown with weeds.
“In 2007, Council ambitiously applied for a grant under the Queensland Government’s Q150 program, which celebrated 150 years of the State’s independence from New South Wales, and with assistance from local State MP Jason O’Brien, a grant of $2.2 million was received.”
Bernie McCarthy said Council appointed Project Manager PDR Consulting Engineers to provide final concept plans and after public consultation the project came to fruition.
Earthworks and rock cartage was undertaken by Torres Shire staff, while local contractors were used to construct pathways that extend 500 metres, as well as electrical works and observations decks. Contractors Dig-It Landscapes Pty Ltd undertook landscaping and other works in the first half of 2010.
“In the past few months the project has been officially completed and was opened on 2 December by Queensland Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (ATSIP) Desley Boyle,” Bernie McCarthy said.
“The project has provided a magnificent recreation area for local residents.
“It must be remembered that Thursday Island is quite small and areas for our 3,000 residents to exercise are at a premium.
“This project has ticked all the boxes by providing shelters, tables, seating, grassed areas, trees, observation decks, new carparks, bollards, a concrete promenade, totem poles, a rotunda, paved areas, enhanced lighting, and nibbed walls, which are great to sit on and look out at the superb blue water. In addition, a foundation path depicts historical events and local sayings.
“It is fitting that one of the quotes says, ‘If you eat the fruit of the local Wongai Tree you will always return to TI.’
“We are sure that this is the case with this great TI project.”
He said that families and visitors are coming out on evenings and weekends to enjoy the facility and are providing excellent feedback.
“But Council is not resting on its laurels,” he said. “It is lobbying to acquire the adjoining former power station site.
“Council sees this as the jewel in the Thursday Island beautification crown, as it will provide a reasonable size public space immediately opposite the Victoria Parade beautification.”
