Marina upgrade a mixed blessing

CHARTER fishing operators who survived two cyclones and a global financial crisis fear they could finally be sunk by a marina upgrade they always wanted.

Boating facilities at Mission Beach’s Clump Point – little more than a boat ramp, a breakwater and a jetty – have been a sore point among users for years.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority this week granted final approval for a major marina redevelopment to go ahead, to the delight of fishers and the dismay of environmentalists.

Tour operators including Fishin Mission owner Dennis Daly’s initial thrill has been replaced by concern after learning they could be locked out for nine months during construction.

“Everybody, including all the commercial fishing guys, are all happy about the infrastructure that’s planned,” Mr Daly said.

“Finally something is going to get done in Mission Beach.

“But now we’ve been told the boat ramp will be closed for nine months while they do it.

“That would run just about all of us broke.”

Katter’s Australian Party Member for Hill, Shane Knuth, said the approval was cause to celebrate.

“No doubt about it, this is a big win for the community and will inject $10 million into the local economy,” he said.

“I have personally spoken with the director-general and Transport Minister Mark Bailey and they’ve told me the community won’t be left in the lurch during that construction period.”

Mr Daly was not so sure and argued being forced to use alternative boat ramps would be ruinous for his business.

“It’s crazy, all the businesses I’m talking about have been through the GFC and a couple of cyclones,” he said.

“What’s going to make us all broke is the government.

“The easy solution is to tell the contractors they need to maintain access to the community during construction. It would be inconvenient for the contractor and cost more managing traffic, but surely it’s worth it rather than running businesses broke.”

Mr Daly said other boat ramps offered up as alternatives were either too far away, too small to cope with the increased traffic, or too exposed to the ocean to operate safely.

“The closest usable boat ramp for us would be Mourilyan,” he said.

“That’s just not viable.”

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