Maritime Safety Queensland has released the draft Rosslyn Bay State Boat Harbour (SBH) master plan for public consultation, giving residents, harbour users and industry stakeholders until 20 September 2026 to comment on the proposed long-term development and use of the Capricorn Coast harbour.

Rosslyn Bay SBH is located south of Yeppoon and north-east of Rockhampton, next to the privately owned Keppel Bay Marina. It also shares a boundary with the Double Head section of Capricorn Coast National Park and is adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Spanning about 18 hectares, the harbour provides access for recreational and commercial vessels and supports maritime and community activities across the coast, including ferry services, cruises, fishing and charter services. It also has two public boat ramps, which are the only all-tide, all-weather ocean access ramps between Gladstone and Mackay.

Maritime Safety Queensland prepared the draft master plan to guide the harbour’s future development, use and renewal. One part of the plan divides the site into six precincts, with each area given potential land and water uses.

The first precinct, mixed marine activities, would build on its established community and sporting uses while providing space for marine services. Potential uses include a yacht club, recreational moorings and berths, dry storage, boat repair and maintenance, marine engineering, a travel lift, slip yard and chandlery.

The second precinct would support marine rescue operations, with potential facilities including inspection bays, secure berthing, equipment storage and emergency access. In the longer term, the draft plan proposes locating these services with state agency marine operations, with space for government buildings, car parking, storage and maintenance sheds, as well as vessel berthing.

Ferry, charter and fishing services would be accommodated in the tourism hub and ferry precinct, alongside commercial moorings and berths, short-term and day-use berths, booking offices and an information centre. Other potential uses include event management, food and beverage outlets, marine education, chandlery and refuelling.

The plan also proposes a barge operations and marine logistics precinct to protect the Keppel Islands barge landing and provide space for activities supporting island communities, tourism operations and future development. Potential facilities include commercial berths, set-down areas, storage sheds, cold rooms and offices.

The commercial marine activities and seafood market precinct would continue the harbour’s commercial fishing activities while allowing for wholesale and retail uses, trawler moorings, maintenance facilities, cold storage, refuelling, marine education and food and beverage outlets.

The sixth area, the harbour growth precinct, is proposed for the northern end of the harbour. Potential land reclamation and an extension of the breakwater could provide additional space for commercial tenancies, commercial and recreational berths, minor maintenance facilities and charter services.

Alongside the precincts, the draft master plan also covers public infrastructure proposals, including harbour identity, greening, wayfinding and movement. It was developed following technical studies completed between August and November 2025 and further planning through August 2026.

The current public consultation is the third stage of the planning process, with feedback available through drop-in sessions and the online survey until 20 September. The final master plan is expected later this year.

Images courtesy of the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.