Townsville anglers will soon be resting their tackle boxes on the bank of the Ross River Dam's spit as Council voted today to officially open the Dam to recreational land-based fishing next year.
A report presented to Councillors in the Ordinary meeting today was voted on to approve a reallocation of funds from the 2024/25 Budget and Operations Plan to fund Stage 1 of the recreation project at Ross Dam.
Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson said Stage 1, to be introduced by June 2025, will allow for non-contact activities including land-based fishing and walking.
"Our community has spoken and they want to see recreational fishing on the Dam as a matter of priority," Cr Thompson said.
"When the previous Council voted to proceed with plans for stage 1 of the Dam's recreational use in November last year, it was subject to the funding availability in the 2024/25 budget.
"Unfortunately there was no budget allocation in the 2024/25 budget due to higher priority projects requiring the funding, however at the request of Councillors the budget has been reviewed to find the funds needed."
Mayor Thompson said Stage 1 of the Dam's recreational use would be funded through a reallocation of funds from Council's capital works plan.
"In order to get land-based fishing underway, this year we've reallocated funds from a project to resurface a section of the V8 track, pushing that project into next financial year," he said.
Division four Councillor, Kristian Price said stage 1, which would see fishos flicking lures in early to mid 2025, was estimated to cost about $1.27 million.
"Getting full recreational use of the Ross Dam will be implemented over a number of stages and certainly take a few years yet, however stage 1 which includes land-based activities like fishing from the shore and walking will see Council need to invest over a million dollars into the site including improved access and basic amenities," Cr Price said.
"The works required will include earthworks, accessibility works such as new footpaths and stairs, alongside the construction of toilets and installation of security infrastructure.
"It's not as simple as saying – there's the dam, go fish it. As a responsible Local Government we need to make sure adequate amenities, accessibility and community safety requirements are met.
"There has been interest from the community for years to get on the dam, and with the introduction of barramundi in 2017, they're just screaming to be caught hook, line and sinker.
"All in all I'm really looking forward to getting down there alongside our community and getting a line wet on the spit, not only is this great for the community, but it's set to inject money into the economy too."
Mayor Thompson said the Ross River Dam was the city's main source of drinking water and the staged approach would allow time for Council to monitor the use and seek further external funding for necessary infrastructure.
"As the dam provides most of our city with its drinking water, we need to ensure the source is protected – if we open the area for fishing and boating, then it has to be done right," Cr Thompson said
"Stage 2 and 3 will be heavily reliant on safe and respectful use of the facilities and Council securing external funding for the required infrastructure to support the expansion of recreation on the dam."
Works are expected to begin this month with Stage 1 set to completed by early to mid 2025.
