Point of contention
ENVIRONMENTALISTS are urging Mission Beach residents to consider the impact of the proposed upgrade to boating facilities at Clump Point after public comment for the project opened yesterday.
The $16 million project, which involves a breakwater, access jetty, boat ramp, pile berths, swing moorings and berthing pontoons, was originally designed to improve safety for boat users, but conservationists have raised concerns over its environmental impact.
Cassowary Coast Alliance participant Liz Gallie said not enough attention was paid to the damage a breakwater would have on the area and said the government restricted input from conservationists.
“This has been an extremely dodgy reference group process, which was coerced and manipulated into a predetermined end,” said Ms Gallie.
“They restricted any input in that process to only Mission Beach people. The conservation input was put as an aside.”
She said the original idea was to plan new facilities around the upgraded jetty that was built in 2013, but said the new plan did not take the jetty into consideration.
“They have successfully hoodwinked the community into thinking it is useless, but mariners who have lived here all their lives say the jetty is the best the area’s ever had.”
C4 president Peter Rowles shared Ms Gallie’s concerns, saying the new plan has been designed to “suit the big guys and leave most of us ordinary people behind”.
“Everything is focused on Clump Point and the $3.5 million jetty is being left as a glorified fishing spot.”
But Mission Beach Boating Association president Peter Heywood said there were “no great surprises” with the plans and he was “personally very happy with it”.
“I think the whole presentation was professional,” Mr Heywood said.
“I think they should have answers to everyone’s queries.”
“I think most of the Mission Beach community will support that document. It’s what we’ve been hoping for years and will restore Mission Beach to its rightful position in the boating and fishing community. We’re looking forward to it.”
Mission Beach Business and Tourism head Evelyn Swarbrick said the organisation wanted the development to attract more people to the area and promote safe boating.
To have your say go to www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/ Name/R/Recreational-boating-facilities/Clump-PointMission-Beach.