Qld marina developments raise ire of Bob Irwin

by Jeni Bone on 15 Nov 2010 Developer, the Seymour Group has come under fire from the Irwin family, joining in the chorus from environmental and community groups for a government rethink of its marina approved at Snapper Creek.

Australia Zoo founder and family patriarch, Bob Irwin said he feared a bid to have the Cooloola region, taking in Tin Can Bay, granted World Heritage status could be compromised if federal Environment Minister Tony Burke approves two significant marina developments.

He said they would require extensive dredging and suction work which would damage critical sea grass habitat for dugongs.

The Southern Sandy Straits Marine Environment Group, which is running a petition with Mr Irwin's help, said residents were also concerned about Tin Can Bay's famous dolphin population.

The dolphins have become a major tourist attraction for their willingness to approach people at the water’s edge.
Seymour Group development manager, Peter Daly said the group had already successfully sought state government approval for their 248-berth Fraser Straits marina through the Department of Environment and Resource Management and Fisheries Queensland.

'At any one time there's up to 100 boats moored around Tin Can Bay,' he said. 'So the boats are already there, we're just providing a home for them.'

Daly said computer modelling of prospective sand dredging had shown the sediment wouldn't go past the bounds of the existing boat harbour.

'It's taken us three years and we've satisfied all the investigation requirements that it's not going to affect the environment,' he said. 'And in regards to the dolphin feeding, well, we're business people – we don't want to do anything that will scare the dolphins off.'

Bob Irwin says he is on a mission to see a million objections lodged against proposed marina developments in a pristine bay near Australia's iconic Fraser Island.

Also in the firing line for community groups and the Irwins, is the proposed expansion of the Carlo Point Marina, 3km west of Rainbow Beach, on the Inskip Peninsula and approximately 265 km north of Brisbane.

The developers, Les & Carol Dickinson and Jim & Debbie Dickinson, say in their proposal to the Dept of Infrastructure and Planning, that 'as the gateway to Fraser Island and the Great Sandy National Park, Carlo Point is a popular tourist destination. The proposed development is expected to have a net benefit across the triple bottom line (environmental, economic and social) and result in a net gain in coastal resources and values'.

Last year, Snapper Creek and Carlo Point made the list of 110 maritime development areas under a Qld State Government discussion paper. The proposal aimed to protect the right of developers to dredge, reclaim tidal land and install erosion control measures for projects such as the controversial government-backed Fraser Straits Marina plan at Norman Point.

The maritime development area zoning promotes land development consistent with maritime uses, while discouraging less waterfront friendly residential and other development.

More at www.fraserstraitsmarina.com.au/proposed_marina.htm and

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/coast_and_oceans/coastal_management/maritime_development_areas.html