World’s first flood-resilient ferry terminal launches in Milton
Incorporating world-first technology, the Milton ferry terminal has reopened for the first time since the 2011 floods with a design to withstand the test of time.
Brisbane City Council opened the new terminal in late January, the first of many to be rolled out in the coming year. The project was designed collaboratively by teams at Cox Rayner Architects and Aurecon, following their winning entry in the Brisbane ferry terminal design competition. The new terminal features a single pier, ensuring largely unobstructed views of the Brisbane River, whilst enhancing the architectural vision of the structure. The 11-metre high pier also has the capacity to deflect heavy objects in flood waters, helping to avoid significant impact to the pontoon.
To further protect the terminal, the structure features a hull-shaped base to allow flood matter to flow unhindered, as well as a state-of-the-art detachable gangway – the first in the world for a ferry network. The gangway is designed to cope with Brisbane’s varying tidal range, and incorporates a uniquely designed floor that will maintain intermediate landings regardless of the tide. In the case of a flood, the gangway will detach at the shore end, enabling it to rise with flood waters and swing behind the pontoon to avoid being hit by floating debris.