Urangan Pier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Urangan Pier |
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Urangan Pier on Christmas 2013
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| Coordinates | 25°16′46″S 152°54′21″E / 25.2794°S 152.9058°E |
| Carries | Pedestrians <smallmais stop frrr >Used to carry trains & produce |
| Locale | Urangan, Queensland, Australia |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Pier |
| Material | Timber |
| Total length | 868 metres (2,848 ft) |
| History | |
| Construction begin | 1913 |
| Construction end | 1917 |
| Closed | 1985 (for commercial use) |
The Urangan Pier is a famous old pier located in Urangan, which is part of Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia.
This pier was once a busy port for big ships. It was built to help export important goods like sugar, timber, and coal. A railway line from Pialba even extended onto the pier. This allowed cargo to be easily moved between trains and ships.
Construction of the pier began in 1913 and finished in 1917. It was originally 1,107 metres (3,632 ft) long. In 1985, the pier was closed for commercial use. Part of it, about 239 metres (784 ft), was taken down. But people really wanted to save it! So, 868 metres (2,848 ft) of the pier was kept. The land was then given to the Hervey Bay City Council (now called the Fraser Coast Regional Council). By 2009, the last 220 metres (720 ft) section of the pier was fully repaired. Its old wooden support poles were replaced with strong steel ones covered in plastic.
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Discover the History of Urangan Pier
The idea for Urangan was first to make it a coal port. This was for coal from the Burrum River mining area. However, this plan did not work out. The mines did not produce as much coal as expected.
But the Wide Bay area was a major producer of farm goods and other freight. So, the Queensland Government decided to build a pier at Hervey Bay instead.
Building the Pier and Railway
Building the Urangan Pier started in 1913. It had to stretch 1.1 kilometres (0.68 mi) (about 3,690 feet) out into the sea. This was to reach the deep water channel where big ships could dock. Construction was quite slow. It finally finished in 1917.
At the same time, the Urangan railway line was also being built. It started in 1913 and branched off the main line at Pialba. This railway line was extended along the pier as it was being built. Once everything was complete, the Urangan Pier became one of Queensland's main ports.
Changes in Trade and Closure
Sugar was one of the main products exported from the pier. It was brought from places as far north as Bundaberg. But in 1958, the Bundaberg Port was built. It then took over sugar exports. After that, the Urangan Pier stopped sending out sugar.
Timber, general goods, and other farm products were still exported until 1960. That year, Caltex built an oil terminal next to the pier. Soon after, the export of freight and goods stopped. Fuel then became the only import coming through the pier.
The last ship docked at the Urangan Pier in January 1985. Caltex Oil then changed how they received fuel. Instead of ships, they started getting bulk fuel by rail. This fuel came from the Pinkenba and Colmslie port terminals in Brisbane.
Because of this change, the pier and the Urangan branch railway line were no longer needed. They were both closed. At this point, the pier needed a lot of repairs. The Queensland Government decided to take down the entire pier.
Saving and Restoring the Pier
People were very upset about the plan to demolish the pier. There was a huge public outcry, with rallies and petitions. Because of this, the demolition was stopped. In late 1985, the Queensland Government gave the pier to the Hervey Bay City Council.
The council promised to restore the pier. This work began in the late 1990s. The restoration involved several important steps. Workers removed the old rail tracks from the pier. They covered the wooden support poles with steel to make them stronger. They also repaired the wooden planks (sleepers), handrails, and lights.
In 1999, the pier was restored to its current length of 868 metres (2,848 ft). It was officially re-opened on November 27, 1999. The re-opening ceremony was led by the governor of Queensland at the time, Peter Arnison, and the mayor of Hervey Bay, Bill Brennan.
Urangan Pier Models
A small model of the pier was made by Mr. Harry Coxon in 1917. This was the same year the real pier was finished! This model is a very important item in the Hervey Bay Historical Village & Museum's collection.
Today, two newer models of the pier are on display. You can see one at the Hervey Bay Tourism Visitor Centre. The other is at the Hervey Bay Whale Watch office at the Boat Harbour Marina.
Urangan Pier Festival
The very first Pier Festival was held in 1986. Its main goal was to help raise money to save the Urangan Pier. Since then, it has become a popular annual fishing competition. It is held every September.
Pier to Pub Swim
The Pier to Pub Ocean Swim Classic is an annual swimming competition. It has been held every April since 1999. The main swim is 3.4-kilometre (2.1 mi) long. Swimmers go from the Urangan Pier to the jetty opposite the Torquay Hotel.
There is also a shorter swim called "Splash for Cash." This swim is 1.6-kilometre (1 mi) long. It starts from the corner of the Esplanade and Alexander Street and also finishes at the jetty opposite the Torquay Hotel.
