Archive: 2003

Concerns over seagrass

The Whitsunday Times, 2003

WHITSUNDAY Shire Mayor Mario Demartini said the dredging associated with the expransion of Abel Point Marina may have affected seagrass in nearby waters, but a repetition of this was unlikely at the Port of Airlie development.

The construction process of the Port of Airlie involves a $1.6 million one kilometre sheet pile wall which will allow the new marina basin to be excavated and pumped dry, he said.

This process eliminated environmental harm from sediment runoff and would avoid the slimy, muddy silt affecting waters east of Abel Point marina.

Local Seagrass Watch spokesperson Bruce Parr said there were not enough precautions put in place for the Abel Point extensions, and mud was gradually moving on to the beach and threatening tourism in the Whitsundays.

Mayor Demartini said council had spent a significant amount of money on the beach front on Coral Esplande and the shire's asset was now threatened. "If this happens at Muddy Bay we can kiss tourism goodbye," he said.
He said the Port of Airlie development process was completely different from that at Abel Point and he was confident the development would not harm MuddyBay.

"At all stages the Port of Airlie developers have been in close contact with council and we had full input into their decisions," he said.

"When they carne up with this method of excavation I was very pleased".

Seagrass-Watch are monitoring this weekend to measure the amount and quality of seagrass.

Image: MAYOR Mario Demartini points to a dugong trail amongst muddy seagrass at Cannonvale beach.

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