JOIN USThe world’s first flood-resilient ferry terminal has officially opened in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia, marking the city’s newest permanent terminal to be introduced since the devastating floods in 2011.
Designed by Aurecon and Cox Rayner Architects, the Milton Ferry Terminal is shaped like a boat and will provide new-generation transport options for local commuters, with tactile ground surface indicators, journey maps with Braille, and designated seating for people with mobility impairments.
The terminal’s practical design extends to the incorporation of new technology that will safeguard it from floods and natural disasters and cope with the Brisbane River’s tidal range, which can exceed two metres.
While a single, robust, 11-metre pier allows for largely unobstructed views of the Brisbane river and removes the need for a forest of piles, the terminal’s hull-shaped base allows flood matter to flow unhindered and protect the pontoon.
A state-of-the-art detachable gangway – a first for a ferry network – also works to reduce the pressure of flood waters and ensure that the structure remains intact, incorporating a uniquely-designed floor, which maintains level intermediate landings whatever the tide. The gangway will detach at the shore-end during a flood, enabling it to rise with flood waters, swing behind the pontoon, and avoid being struck by debris.