$5.5 million committed to boost river tourism at Howard Smith Wharves

The Queensland Government has committed $5.5 million to build three new pontoons at Brisbane’s Howard Smith Wharves - a heritage-listed wharf precinct on the Brisbane River - to boost river tourism post-COVID-19.

The precinct received the 2019 Urban Developer Retail Development of the Year Award (nominated by Howard Smith Wharves, Urbis and BCC), which recognises excellence in the development of retail projects, at the Urban Developer 2019 Awards for Industry Excellence,

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the funding was part of the State Government’s strategy to promote the city’s links with Moreton Bay and added “River to Bay tourism will be crucial for this region in coming years. That’s why we’re investing in infrastructure now to create more tourism jobs in the southeast into the future.

“Howard Smith Wharves is a hugely popular precinct. This new river terminal will mean you can have a drink or something to eat at a restaurant, jump on a boat and be relaxing on an island within 40 minutes. It’s an absolute game changer.

“We’re forging on with major projects like this because we know that new infrastructure is vital to Queensland’s economic recovery.”

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace said the River Terminal at Fortitude Valley would be funded through the Attracting Tourism Fund and would support up to 6000 passengers a day.

Minister Grace advised “these new pontoons will be open to commercial tour operators as a pick-up and drop off point and will have the potential added benefit of through traffic for the Howard Smith Wharves and Eagle Street restaurant and entertainment precincts.

“Accessibility to Moreton Bay from the Brisbane River has always been a limiting factor for tourist operators.

“So this project will be the catalyst to open two-way traffic flow and commercial tourist operators have already expressed great interest to access this popular new facility.

“We all know the devastating effects that COVID-19 has had on the tourism industry and projects like these will help Queensland get back on its feet.”

Once up and running, the facility could attract 294,000 overseas visitors spending $9.2 million a year.

In addition, about 64,000 domestic visitors are estimated to use the terminal spending $3.8 million a year.

Howard Smith Wharves Chief Executive, Luke Fraser added “HSW is excited to be working with the State Government to deliver this essential infrastructure which will play an important role in unlocking the tourism potential of the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay.

“We’re born and bred in Brisbane and hugely proud of everything our city has to offer.

“With an exciting pipeline of investment from critical infrastructure through to significant tourism projects, the new commercial pontoons will only further enhance our river city appeal.

“It’s incredible to see this vision of ours coming to life and creating a new way to come and go from the wharves, and a new hub for tourism boats spurring on further investment in new tourism products.”