Sea Patrol boss keen for jetty revamp

TELEVISION producer Hal McElroy and his wife Di have thrown their support behind draft plans to redevelop a boating precinct at Clump Point north of Mission Beach.

The former Sydneysiders run Eden Productions and now live in Mission Beach, the location for the TV series Sea

Patrol from 2006 to 2011. In a letter submitted to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority during this month’s public comment phase of the development, Mr McElroy said he would not have been able to film the series with the current facilities.

“The production of 68 episodes over five years involved an expenditure of $89 million (many millions spent locally) and the resultant series has been seen in over 200 countries worldwide,” he wrote.

“Crucial to our decision to use Mission Beach as the base for all of our at sea shooting was the Clump Point Jetty.

“Sadly the replacement jetty length and subsequent water depth of accommodation for larger vessels is so limited we would not be able to shoot Sea Patrol in Mission Beach today.”

The McElroys described the new boating facilities as a “game changer” for professional operators, hospitality providers, recreational fishermen and anyone wanting to visit the Reef.

“The new boating facility would provide the perfect economic boost.

“Let’s not forget Mission Beach is the closest point to the Great Barrier Reef, yet we have not a single commercial vessel operating from the jetty to provide for the pent up demand for Reef trips.

“The largest commercial reef operator has to ferry passengers to Dunk Island to board the reef vessel, and the same vessel has to travel to Cardwell to refuel.

Mr McElroy said he believed environmental concerns had not been dismissed, but “carefully considered in the mix of balancing economic needs with sustainability”.