Boat Bay
C4 Position Statement
C4 recognizes the community need for improved boat launching facilities at Mission Beach.
We support a concept that fulfils these community needs, with no adverse impact on the environment and opportunity to improve
cultural and environmental assets of Clump Point and Boat Bay to benefit current and future generations.
5 OUTCOMES
1. Support improvement to the launching facilities at Mission Beach which have no adverse impact on the environmental and cultural values of Clump Point and reflects community needs.
Specific improvements:
- Increased access to boat ramps (addition of another ramp?)
- Increased parking spaces
- Improved low-environmental impact lighting
- Reinstatement of boat ramps existing prior to cyclone Larry
2. Sealing of the existing road to the ramp and the lookout to minimise the erosion into Boat Bay and dust on the vegetation.
3. Rehabilitation and improvement to the unique Clump Point environment.
4. An interpretive walk to link Ulysses with the Cutten Brother’s walk.
5. Strategic informative environmental signage for Clump Point.
We support a concept that fulfils these community needs, with no adverse impact on the environment and opportunity to improve
cultural and environmental assets of Clump Point and Boat Bay to benefit current and future generations.
5 OUTCOMES
1. Support improvement to the launching facilities at Mission Beach which have no adverse impact on the environmental and cultural values of Clump Point and reflects community needs.
Specific improvements:
- Increased access to boat ramps (addition of another ramp?)
- Increased parking spaces
- Improved low-environmental impact lighting
- Reinstatement of boat ramps existing prior to cyclone Larry
2. Sealing of the existing road to the ramp and the lookout to minimise the erosion into Boat Bay and dust on the vegetation.
3. Rehabilitation and improvement to the unique Clump Point environment.
4. An interpretive walk to link Ulysses with the Cutten Brother’s walk.
5. Strategic informative environmental signage for Clump Point.
C4 RESPONSE TO AURECON PROPOSAL 22 NOVEMBER 2013
Delivered Friday 29th November 2013
Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation (C4) commends the Government and Aurecon for the detailed assessment of the options for improved maritime facilities at Mission Beach.
We appreciate that both DSDIP and Aurecon have given assurance that modelling would be used to test and establish that optimum outcome would be achieved in terms of wave mitigation and minimal silt build-up.
Overall, we support the proposals with the following comments:
Boat Ramp.
This is basically the designed proposed by C4. See Low Impact Boat Ramp concept file at end of this page.The third boat ramp has a larger footprint than proposed and the Northern car park takes out more mangroves then envisaged. An offset is proposed but a loss is a loss. However mangroves could be encouraged to grow on the new rocks.
The southern car park appears to be located as C4 proposed and CCRC surveyed. This doesn’t seem to appear in any of the drawings but was shown on screen on the day.
Jetty rock wall
C4 remains committed to the improvements to the boat ramp and additions to make the jetty functional with little or no adverse visual or environmental impact and supports the separation of commercial and recreational facilities. We appreciate the assurance that modelling is an integral part of the process to ensure the optimal outcomes in terms of protection while having least impact on the bay and neighbouring beaches.
C4 has been asked by members and others to request that DSDIP and Arecon consider options other then the rock wave breakwater since it is seen as expensive, has high visual impact and poses a high risk of siltation.
Aurecon’s multi-criteria analysis (22 November 2013) states that the components it considered were to “improve the safety of boating facilities in the region”, that facilities in Boat Bay “need to be improved to meet current and future needs, and to address safety concerns associated with the lack of wave attenuation at the jetty”.
C4 has had time to read and discuss the full documents and can no longer support the construction of the wave breakwater. It was alarming to note in Appendix C table 13 KPI results that Theme 14 Overtopping breakwater was rated Intermediate (likely to form partial tombolo?) There have been no rock wall breakwaters placed anywhere in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to date. This proposed breakwater would be a precedent. No island rock wall, artificial reef or other stand-alone structure has ever been permitted in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), which was listed for its outstanding natural and aesthetic qualities, with an obligation to protect its integrity as a naturally beautiful place. Mission Beach is a tourist destination and tourists expect natural tropical beauty.
Aurecon’s conclusion that the wave breakwater is the best solution is not backed by wind climate or current and sediment drift studies. There are limited details of all options provided in Aurecon’s analysis, making informed comparisons quite difficult. Modelling in a tank as proposed by Aurecon in the recent media release does not appear to address the particular conditions that exist along this dynamic and exposed coastline. All potential options should be modelled and wind and current studies undertaken in the Clump Point/boat bay area
The following option is offered, with a request that it be seriously considered.
Construction of a vertical ventrally open wall (aka partial penetrating wave barrier) away from the jetty, as built in many marinas and harbours along the coast. Advantages include:
Road access to the boat ramp
The current dirt road is a major contributor to siltation in the bay. C4 has had discussions with CCRC. It is understood that DSDIP and CCRC are continuing with discussions with a view to resolving the problem.
Existing eastern boat ramp
It is unclear if any walkway or tie-off rail has been included which would allow this ramp to become operational.
Condition and height of car park and turn-around
At high tide (3M) the area is inundated and the sea comes in through the rocks under the concrete and bubbles up through the asphalt. The vehicles parked on the Northern end are splashed with waves. It is unclear if this is rectified in Improved drainage (5). With this in mind the southern car park option may be a dryer alternative and its construction does not harm any mangroves.
Dredging of the eastern boat ramp
During modelling it would be interesting to know if modifications to the location of the existing breakwater could alleviate dredging and this knowledge be used during the breakwater upgrade(20)
Other boat ramps
The peak demand for boat access is at times of good weather and particularly mackerel season. Off-the-beach launching for "tinnies", as was previously available at CCRC caravan park, took a lot of pressure off Clump Point ramp at these times. Beach ladders at environmentally suitable points is a preferred option for many people with tinnies, particularly as Dunk Island is about four times as far from Clump Point as it is from South Mission Beach and this issue should not be overlooked in the overall boating picture.
Delivered Friday 29th November 2013
Community for Coastal and Cassowary Conservation (C4) commends the Government and Aurecon for the detailed assessment of the options for improved maritime facilities at Mission Beach.
We appreciate that both DSDIP and Aurecon have given assurance that modelling would be used to test and establish that optimum outcome would be achieved in terms of wave mitigation and minimal silt build-up.
Overall, we support the proposals with the following comments:
Boat Ramp.
This is basically the designed proposed by C4. See Low Impact Boat Ramp concept file at end of this page.The third boat ramp has a larger footprint than proposed and the Northern car park takes out more mangroves then envisaged. An offset is proposed but a loss is a loss. However mangroves could be encouraged to grow on the new rocks.
The southern car park appears to be located as C4 proposed and CCRC surveyed. This doesn’t seem to appear in any of the drawings but was shown on screen on the day.
Jetty rock wall
C4 remains committed to the improvements to the boat ramp and additions to make the jetty functional with little or no adverse visual or environmental impact and supports the separation of commercial and recreational facilities. We appreciate the assurance that modelling is an integral part of the process to ensure the optimal outcomes in terms of protection while having least impact on the bay and neighbouring beaches.
C4 has been asked by members and others to request that DSDIP and Arecon consider options other then the rock wave breakwater since it is seen as expensive, has high visual impact and poses a high risk of siltation.
Aurecon’s multi-criteria analysis (22 November 2013) states that the components it considered were to “improve the safety of boating facilities in the region”, that facilities in Boat Bay “need to be improved to meet current and future needs, and to address safety concerns associated with the lack of wave attenuation at the jetty”.
C4 has had time to read and discuss the full documents and can no longer support the construction of the wave breakwater. It was alarming to note in Appendix C table 13 KPI results that Theme 14 Overtopping breakwater was rated Intermediate (likely to form partial tombolo?) There have been no rock wall breakwaters placed anywhere in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to date. This proposed breakwater would be a precedent. No island rock wall, artificial reef or other stand-alone structure has ever been permitted in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA), which was listed for its outstanding natural and aesthetic qualities, with an obligation to protect its integrity as a naturally beautiful place. Mission Beach is a tourist destination and tourists expect natural tropical beauty.
Aurecon’s conclusion that the wave breakwater is the best solution is not backed by wind climate or current and sediment drift studies. There are limited details of all options provided in Aurecon’s analysis, making informed comparisons quite difficult. Modelling in a tank as proposed by Aurecon in the recent media release does not appear to address the particular conditions that exist along this dynamic and exposed coastline. All potential options should be modelled and wind and current studies undertaken in the Clump Point/boat bay area
The following option is offered, with a request that it be seriously considered.
Construction of a vertical ventrally open wall (aka partial penetrating wave barrier) away from the jetty, as built in many marinas and harbours along the coast. Advantages include:
- Allows unrestricted water flow under the wall, thus avoiding sediment accumulation
- Minimises marine environmental impact.
- Minimises footprint
- Effective at lower tides when needed most
- Easy to see for navigation
- Less visually intrusive than a large rock breakwater
- No reflected waves as with a skirt wall
- Can be removed for modifications and repair
- Some chance of acceptance by GBRMPA - images of partial penetrating wave barrier at end of this report
Road access to the boat ramp
The current dirt road is a major contributor to siltation in the bay. C4 has had discussions with CCRC. It is understood that DSDIP and CCRC are continuing with discussions with a view to resolving the problem.
Existing eastern boat ramp
It is unclear if any walkway or tie-off rail has been included which would allow this ramp to become operational.
Condition and height of car park and turn-around
At high tide (3M) the area is inundated and the sea comes in through the rocks under the concrete and bubbles up through the asphalt. The vehicles parked on the Northern end are splashed with waves. It is unclear if this is rectified in Improved drainage (5). With this in mind the southern car park option may be a dryer alternative and its construction does not harm any mangroves.
Dredging of the eastern boat ramp
During modelling it would be interesting to know if modifications to the location of the existing breakwater could alleviate dredging and this knowledge be used during the breakwater upgrade(20)
Other boat ramps
The peak demand for boat access is at times of good weather and particularly mackerel season. Off-the-beach launching for "tinnies", as was previously available at CCRC caravan park, took a lot of pressure off Clump Point ramp at these times. Beach ladders at environmentally suitable points is a preferred option for many people with tinnies, particularly as Dunk Island is about four times as far from Clump Point as it is from South Mission Beach and this issue should not be overlooked in the overall boating picture.
| Aurecon 2013 Clump Point Report on Options multi-criteria analysis.pdf |
| C4 response to MB boat bay infrastructure options workshop.pdf |
| Workshop report 13 Feb 2013.pdf |
Mission Beach Safe Boating Infrastructure Options Workshop Report and C4's Response
A copy of the above report and the response from C4 can be downloaded from the file's below.