A community reference group has been established to help inform council on this signature project, and I am pleased to be a member of this group along with Deputy Mayor Councillor Karen May as Chair, Cr Belinda Hassan and other council staff. A concept master plan has been prepared to help guide staged development of the site and various building concepts for Stage 1 are being discussed with the Community Reference Group. Wider public consultation is expected to follow. This centrally located community hub will become an important venue for community interaction in the heart of the Northern Beaches. Work is also under way on a $340,000 upgrade to the Cone Street Park at Shoal Point. The upgrade will include the installation of new all-abilities pathways, a half-court facility, picnic shelter and additional shade tree plantings.
Every year baby turtles on Mackay beaches face being crushed to death inside the egg before they can hatch out of their nests.
Mackay and District Turtle Watch Association member Cass Hayward said cars, quad bikes and motorbikes rode over the beaches and foredunes risking hundreds of hatchlings each turtle nesting season between October and late-March. Driving tracks found at Harbour Beach during turtle nesting season, 2020. Picture: Cass Hayward.
“Four-wheel-driving over dune systems is bad at any time of year and can cause many problems including erosion but during these Spring and Summer months, there is the added risk of destroying turtle nests,” Ms Hayward said.
The spokeswoman said the department was working with Mackay Regional Council and Department of Resources to address resident concerns with island management.
“Sub-lessees continue to have access to the national park, esplanade and beach areas of the island,” a DOR spokeswoman said. View of Basil Bay at Keswick Island. Picture: JewelZee
Until early December, neither lease holder China Bloom nor development manager Greaton were responding to the residents’ claims.
On December 7, Polymer Studios delivered a lengthy response to the claims on China Bloom’s behalf – including claims related to turtle nesting.
Neither Polymer or Greaton are now responding further to media requests.