PROTECT NORTH WALL

Locals Say No To Port Expansion Plans

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Image: Local residents gathered at North Wall last weekend to protest draft plan for a Mackay Port expansion which would eradicate a large portion of beach and put turtle nesting sites at risk. Photo: MP Amanda Camm

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is leading master planning for the priority Port of Hay Point/Mackay to establish a long-term strategic outlook for the ports, however a group of concerned residents say the plan puts a fragile ecosystem near North Harbour Beach (North Wall) at risk.

Last weekend, hundreds of residents took part in a community walk along North Wall to protest the proposed future development of the Port of Mackay, which the master plan shows would eradicate around one third of the beach.

The walk was held to raise community awareness of the proposed plan and to extend the community consultation period. Public information sessions were held in October and November, but the public wasn’t made aware of these sessions until a Facebook post was made by TMR on November 16, one day before the last information session on November 17.

Local resident Kim Edwards started a petition on the website change.org called North Harbour Beach Community Interest Campaign, calling for TMR to extend the deadline and open up community consultation again as she said the initial notice for consultation was poorly communicated to the community at large.

“We are asking that TMR extend that deadline and reopen community consultation so that we can have further consultation with our community and in particular the local environmental groups like Mackay Turtle Watch and the Mackay Conservation Group,” Kim said.

“This is really concerning because that area is an important turtle hatching area, both green and flat back turtles’ nest there,” she said.

“That area is also surrounded by wetland ecosystems and also a large section of parabolic dunes, which are a relatively rare natural feature.

“The wetlands and inshore reef catchments are also recognized as vital by Queensland Wetlands Program to the health of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem and its catchments.”

MP Amanda Camm attended the walk and spoke to concerned locals, urging people to make a submission on the TMR website so as to better inform the Government on the use and importance North Wall beach has in our community.

“The Queensland Government has tried to slip another report through without any genuine community consultation,” Ms Camm said.

“This plan includes resuming large amounts of North Wall beach and possibly closing public access to the area. Whilst I support planning and growth, I believe any decisions need to be transparent and include community consultation - that means with the community.”

Ms Camm wrote to Minister Bailey, requesting that he extend the consultation period for the Draft Master Plan for the Mackay Port to enable locals to have adequate time to make a written submission.

“I have also requested that the Minister ensures that TMR engages with Mackay & District Turtle Watch and other local environmental and conservation groups to obtain the necessary data to ensure that the government is making decisions based on accurate information,” she said.

‍