New Newell Beach sand washes away
Beach Replenishment
Newsport readers have slammed the recently completed sand replenishment program and four Douglas Shire beaches, saying it had in some cases been washed away in just two days.
Newell Beach resident Vicki Thomas sent photographs of Newell Beach taken last week and showing the extent of damage already at the site.
“I have been away for two weeks and went down to Newell beach – where is the sand?’’ she said.
“Once again the dumping of sand on Newell Beach has washed away within a month. This program of dumping sand on Newell has been a100 per cent failure over the years.’’
“Is the sand drifting to Dickson inlet to be dredged out again?’’
It comes just weeks after Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) said it had successfully completed the beach replenishment works which commenced in early August and saw clean sand removed from MSQ's Killaloe Dredge Material Rehandling Facility to replenish nearby beaches at Oak Beach, Rocky Point, Helmet Creek Beach (Four Mile Beach) and Newell Beach.
Member for Cook David Kemp said the beaches were at their best for the spring holidays thanks to careful planning and strong collaboration between Maritime Safety Queensland and local contractors.
"This project demonstrates our commitment to keeping Queensland's waterways clean and safe, while also protecting and replenishing our beautiful beaches," Mr Kempton said.
"By reusing clean sand from previous dredging operations, we've given nearby beaches a natural boost and prepared the Killaloe site for the next round of dredging at Port Douglas Boat Harbour.”
But complaints have been made that sand was contaminated with plastics and metals and much of it, at Newell Beach, had been washed away.
The program uses sand taken from the Port Douglas boat harbour entrance during previous dredging works which was stored at the Killaloe site, specifically for beach nourishment purposes.
All works were carried out in accordance with the project's approved Environmental Management Plan and legislative guidelines. Monitoring of the beaches will continue.
The works ensure the Killaloe site is ready for the next round of dredging at Port Douglas Boat Harbour and support Maritime Safety Queensland's role in keeping Queensland's waterways clean and safe, the authority said.
Newsport readers reacted from the outset of the works, Jill Gronow saying: “This is a short term fix, a waste of ratepayer’s money.
“Was done last year and lasted only days. Sandbags that were placed there a number of years ago worked for a while. Now we have a big sandbar at the mouth of the Mossman River it is affecting the shape of the bay. More research needs to go into this problem.’’
And Julie Robertson added: “Wow, hope it lasts longer than a few days like the last time they did this. A few high tides and it forms another sand island off Cooya.’’
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