Prime Minister is lobbied for marina

latest marina concept
Click picture to enlarge
A new concept for a “safe” marina has been drawn up to accommodate, 176 berths, 5 short term berths, super yacht berth, fishermans village,  public facilities precinct, car park and even some mangrove habitat.

Cyclone Yasi is being used by would-be marina developers to take advantage of the post-YASI reconstruction effort. They are lobbying Federal and State Politicians and government department officials to cut through red tape and fast-track approval for a marina at Boat Bay.

Above is how the high ecological area of Clump point/Narragon Beach  is envisaged to look after excavation, reclamation and installation of rock walls.
In reality there won't be a mangrove habitat on the east and south-east side of the outer wall any more than there is on Clump Point itself.  It will be rocks that are constantly being pounded by waves.   There won't be a deep water docking point on the northern side of the shorter wall any more than there is in Boat Bay itself - it will continually fill up with silt, as will the inner harbour. 

The walls will have to be at least 7 metres above highest astronomical tide (HAT) (because that is what the Premier said we could face with Yasi) which is 4.2 metres above LAT. If the rock face slopes at 30°, the base of the triangle at LAT level has to be 38.8 metres, and at seabed level, (38.8 + 3.4*D) metres at depth (D). The outer wall is about 700 metres long. This is a monumental amount of rock.
Regardless of the engineering logistics or environmental possibilities, the wisdom of such a project must be questioned especially with the photos of the Hinchinbrook marina so fresh in our minds.

Nine news interviewed Castaways manager Will Neville  and local recreational boat owner Peter Salleras on the implications such a development would have on the  Mission Beach community. Listen to interview
Innisfail Advocate special Yasi feature
The debate is now open on 'needs' vs 'wants' and just where the community and natural environment stand when considered alongside short term economic gain.