Scarborough Harbour First to Benefit from Harbour Improvement Program

On a busy weekend morning at Scarborough Harbour, families queue at the boat ramp, anglers prepare their gear, and local cafés hum with early risers. Soon, this familiar scene will begin to change, with $3.9 million committed to immediate upgrades that promise safer access and improved facilities for the community.

Fast-tracked works begin

Scarborough Harbour is the first in Queensland to benefit from a $13.2-million program announced in July to accelerate planning and works across eight boat harbours. The Department of Transport and Main Roads confirmed that the additional $3.9 million for Scarborough will go towards “priority infrastructure” to support the harbour’s heavy recreational use.

The program also covers planning for harbours at Manly, Urangan and Rosslyn Bay, with further stages to follow at Bowen, Mooloolaba, Snapper Creek and Cabbage Tree Creek. Scarborough’s early inclusion highlights its importance as one of the busiest boating hubs in South East Queensland.

A master plan for the future

These early works are part of a broader master planning process for Queensland’s harbours. At Scarborough, the long-term strategy sets out a vision to balance its role as a working harbour with opportunities for recreation, tourism, and public access. The plan divides the site into different activity areas, creating space for marine industries, commercial outlets, foreshore recreation, and tourism.

While specifics on which elements of the plan are not yet available, officials have emphasised that the Scarborough allocation is designed to make an early impact while detailed planning continues. Community feedback gathered during earlier consultation rounds was cited as a key influence on the plan’s priorities.

Community and economic benefits

Local residents have long spoken about challenges such as congestion at the boat ramp and the need for improved amenities.

For nearby businesses, the works are seen as an opportunity to draw more visitors into the area. The harbour precinct already serves as a social and recreational hub, and improved facilities are likely to enhance its appeal. Property owners may also view the upgrades as a signal of long-term investment in the region’s lifestyle and liveability.

Industry groups have also welcomed the announcement. The Boating Industry Association said investment in harbours like Scarborough will support not just local boaters but also Queensland’s wider recreational boating sector and tourism industry.

For a community that spends so much of its weekend life around the water, the upgrades are a reminder that the harbour is being planned for the long haul, not just patched up for the present.