 Clump Point jetty At the end of 2011 the Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) engaged GHD Consultants to meet with Mission Beach stakeholders concerning the future of the Clump Point Jetty. The consultants were supplied with a list of stakeholders by the CCRC which included representatives from tourism, commercial boat operators, traditional owners and government departments. Full representation from the conservation sector was not included in this initial consultation. 6 Comments Media release by Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook (ASH).  Click to enlarge The Cassowary Coast Shire Council has just thrown the Port Hinchinbrook maintenance mess onto the Queensland government. But they may not realise that it will come bouncing right back.
Under pressure from the canal estate residents, the Council has persuaded the State government to enforce the Deed of Agreement, which states that the developer will keep the waterways open. The State says it will spend taxpayer's money to carry out dredging and recover the costs from the developer. But after some bond moneys lodged by the developer are absorbed, there is no way of forcing payment for continuing high dredging costs. The easy "out" for the developer is to wind up the company. The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) in conjunction with the Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) and relevant State departments and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) will be completing a public maritime infrastructure planning study during 2011. This will examine the nature and scale of maritime infrastructure needs along the CCRC coast and assess potential sites from a social, environmental and economic perspective. The results of this study will be used to determine if and where new maritime development areas are required to be included in the Queensland Coastal Plan. Marinas cannot just be placed anywhere. Past experience has shown problems arising from the placing of marinas in innaproprite locations. There are few 'natural' harbours and all marinas have some environmental impact. Of particular importance now is for proper research to be undertaken and good governance to prevail if, and where, any infrastructure is to be placed on a coastline within a cyclone belt.  Margaret Moorhouse (ASH) Margaret Moorhouse from Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook (ASH) was interviewed by Fiona Sewell on ABC Far North radio on 2nd June about the problems facing the Port Hinchinbrook Marina. (Click below to listen to the interview)  There has been a lot of talk about boating needs at Mission Beach with the jetty and pontoon out of action since cylcone Yasi. Each time a cyclone has hit Mission Beach in the last 25 years, the push for a marina has stopped proper repair of the jetty. We need to step back a moment Progress at Missison Beach needs to be fully respective and understanding of the high biodiversity values of the area. That is the only sustainable economy of Mission Beach. A modern Jetty upgrade may be the long term solution for Mission Beach boating needs. A sustainable economic future is reliant on natural growth reflecting realistic needs of the community with equal consideration given to the rural and natural village character and the outstanding natural environment. This will build a stonger community, retain the lifestyle and exceptional natural beauty that the majority of residents settled at Mission Beach for. Here are some facts to consider... click on image Call for jetty upgrade The Cassowary Coast Regional Council is being asked "why is it taking so long to rebuild the community jetty at Mission Beach"? read flyer  Brand new plan for marina
Cyclone Yasi is being used by would-be marina developers to take advantage of the post-YASI reconstruction effort. A new concept has been presented to the Prime Minister, Premier, State politicians and government department officials in an attempt to cut through red tape and fast-track approval for a Marina. Once again the call for inapropriate infrastructure in the high ecologically significant area is holding up progress for a purpose built jetty to cater for the boating needs of Mission Beach. |
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