By Kate Lockyer
Brisbane Paddling Club are one step closer to building a new pontoon with the help of a grant from the Brisbane City Council.
Club Secretary Ray Hastie said: “It will enable us to enter the water safely – at the moment we use boat ramps, and when the tide is out there is a drop off the boat ramp, so there could be accidents.”
“Now we’re focusing on getting a purpose-built entry to the water, so that we can put the boats in safely.”
Mr Hastie said the $11,000 grant is funding the planning process, hiring a town planner to apply for permissions for the pontoon from the Queensland government and maritime authorities.
Once this is complete, Mr Hastie said they can then apply for another grant to fund the construction of the pontoon.
Mr Hastie said the new pontoon could also be used by the Te Waka Taniwa Dragon Boat Club, the Wooden Boat Association of Queensland, and the Breakfast Creek Boat Club, who share the club premises backing onto the Brisbane River in Argyle Street, Albion.
He said the Brisbane Paddling Club has about 70 members of all ages and about 100 affiliates each year, and the club has been growing.
Mr Hastie said applying for the pontoon “proves that we are serious about being in the community, and we are always happy to have new people come along”.
The club runs races for Paddle Queensland, including the Pacific Coast Series.
“One thing we are really focusing on with Paddle Queensland and Paddle Australia is getting the young blood into the sport to grow talent for when we host the Olympics,” Mr Hastie said.
Club President George Spink, Public Relations Nikki Bamforth, and Treasurer Gavin Cook standing in front of the proposed site of the pontoon