Please fill out the short survey below

Mission Beach is the birthplace of the Wet Tropics
and the Great Barrier Reef  World Heritage Areas

The World Heritage Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, signed in Paris on November 16, 1972, is an international agreement through which nations join together to conserve a collection of the world’s timeless treasures.
Each country, or “State Party” to the Convention recognises its primary duty to ensure the identification, protection, conservation and transmission to future generations of the cultural and natural heritage situated on its territory.

... and yet an ugly rock wall is planned for the Perry Harvey Jetty

CCA met with David Edwards, the Director-General of the Department of State Infrastructure and Planning (DSDIP) at the Community Cabinet in Tully on Sunday 23rd Feb and were told in no uncertain terms this development "is going to happen". 
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Other places have the Big Pineapple, the Big Banana, the Big Gumboot, etc - is Mission Beach to have THE BIG TURD?
When asked who supports the rock wall we were told there is strong support from the Council, some commercial boat owners and very positive feedback from the community via a survey. (see right)
The latest update from the DSDIP Major Projects Department states "....over 200 surveys have been received to date. The comments indicate there is a diversity of opinion within the community on a preferred solution."  (Read update here)

The project team is currently capturing all the comments and analysing the feedback received and said  "We will get back to you once the analysis has been completed".

According to an article in the Tully Times a spokesperson said there is ".......over 50% support for current designs for improving boating safety at the Perry Harvey Jetty".   "While support for the installation of a rock wall breakwater in front of the jetty is mixed, the plans to improve the boat ramp were popular"

Public demand will be a deciding factor.  This is not just a local issue.  Our unique natural environment must not be compromised  when considering development at Mission Beach, in particular, essential infrastructure at Mission Beach.  Our tourism future relies on it.


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Brochure distributed by DSDIP at Mission Beach


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Survey attached to brochure
Let the State Government know that an ugly rock wall would compromise our World Heritage values and  let them know how it will affect the character and your sense of place at Mission Beach
 Read CCA's position on the proposed boating facilities (below left) and please fill out the short survey below
1. Do you support the proposed solution to separate commercial and recreational boating facilities?

       Yes with conditions. 

The new improved jetty, once the planned extra landings are placed on the north side will greatly improve the safety for commercial operators understanding that the upgraded boat ramp can be utilised when weather conditions are unfavourable at the jetty.  The additional ramp and parking at Clump Point boat ramp would alleviate any conflict problems between recreational and commercial operators arising from congestion during  occasional peak demands. Reasonable conditions can be applied to usage.

2. Do you support the boat ramp proposal as explained for recreational  users?

      Yes with reservations. 

Following are matters that need to be considered in any upgrade of the boat ramp, car parking and sealing of the access road.
  • There is very limited room for development at Clump Point. Some would argue it has already reached capacity. The erosion prone zone cannot support a high use boating facility without unacceptable impacts on the natural environment. The upgrade proposed should not create expectation for future expansion.
  • There will be considerable additional 'hardening' of natural areas to provide extra car parks. Mangroves will be removed to extend the existing car park and high value rainforest will be encroached into by establishing the 2nd car park. 
  • Consultants, Aurecon, have played down the value of the site saying it is of low quality.  This is not the case.  The site may have some weed infestation but the vegetation is almost certainly critically endangered littoral rainforest. The vegetation needs to be assessed 'on the ground', not solely from existing vegetation mapping.
  • Standard engineering solutions are not appropriate for the unique headland. How the built area will impact on the cultural, natural and aesthetic value of Clump Point and departure point to the Great Barrier Reef needs to be a prime consideration in the design. Best practice low impact designs appropriate for a World Heritage setting must be employed (such as permeable ground covers instead of bitumen and design and location of car park retaining natural vegetation  not dominating the natural character of the headland etc.)
  • Any upgrade of the road must be of a low key nature and in keeping with the character of the setting.
  • The rock wall is planned to be raised an extra 1.4 metres.   How will this impact on the integrity of views to horizon at the approach to the ramp?
  • All impacts must be offset within the Clump point area in full consultation with Traditional Owners and with expert ecological advice.
3. Do you support the jetty proposal as explained to make the jetty more useable, which could provide for increased economic activity in Mission Beach?

       No.

The rock wall, is not only ugly , it would forever compromise the natural and aesthetic value of picturesque Clump Point headland and Boat Bay. It would set a dangerous precedent. NO artificial reef or freestanding rock wall or island has ever been approved in the GBRWHA. 

Within the 20 designs Aurecon presented as possible options they did not consider any engineering possibilities of wave attenuation attached to the jetty.  We still believe there could be other engineering solutions to make the jetty safer for loading and landing without the rock wall.

None of the $5.5m given to the State by the Federal Government specifically for a scoping study has been spent on any research that shows this intrusive artificial wall will facilitate local economic development.  Degrading the beauty of the Clump Point area would lesson the tourist appeal of Mission Beach, described in tourism brochures as a place of 'rare and diverse beauty'.






Survey now closed

Thank you for taking the time to fill out this survey


Could you please take just another moment and sign the petition below- it could make the world of difference to the future of Mission Beach 

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Sign the petition