Lifeline as boat ramp is fixed up

A LIFELINE may be thrown to Mission Beach tour and fishing operators looking down the barrel of up to a year without access to a boat ramp.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey floated the option of keeping the Clump Point boat ramp partially open after being questioned by the Cairns Post about the financial ruin its total closure could cause.

“The Palaszczuk Government understands the needs of Mission Beach businesses and that’s why I have this morning requested the Department of Transport and Main Roads investigate options to maintain access for commercial operators,” Mr Bailey said.

“However, safety is our highest priority and it’s important the welfare of workers and members of the public is not compromised.

“The preservation of the local natural environment and the protection of wildlife will also be a high priority during construction.”

Commercial fishers, whale watchers and charter fishing operators have been told they could be locked out of the facility for almost all of 2019.

Operators overwhelmingly support the marina upgrade, which adds a new boat ramp lane, floating walkway, improved breakwater, carpark and new moorings.

But the timing could prove disastrous unless the contractor ensures access remains during the long construction period.

Reef Express owner Kerryn Bell said businesses needed certainty now so they could take forward bookings and plan for the coming year.

She said very few operators had hulls suitable for beach launching, the nearby Hull River ramp was too short and the South Mission Beach ramp was unprotected and unsuitable on low tides.

“We would have to swim passengers out and there’s the chance of crocs swimming about,” she said.

“Imagine if I did that – (Marine Safety Queensland) would just go berserk.

“They would take my ticket off me and throw it in the bin.

“We don’t really have any other suitable option.”