Community
27 May, 2024
Marina idea not backed
A PUSH to build a marina at Palm Cove is failing to get the support of movers and shakers.
Area councillor and deputy mayor Brett Olds, local MP Member for Barron River Craig Crawford and lobby group Advance Palm Cove won’t back the long-time proposal by businessman Tony Richards.
The immediate proposal is to create a safe harbour or jetty so boats can securely dock to allow passengers to embark and disembark. Currently it is too dangerous.
Cr Olds and Mr Crawford are working with the Department of Main Roads and Transport on a plan for allowing boats to safely come alongside so passengers can safely get on and off vessels.
Mr Crawford said the marina would lock-out locals and tourists in favour of “the rich and famous and their flash white boats”.
He said any proposal would have to allow access to everyone, not just the wealthy.
Mr Crawford said he was concerned a marina would have no environmental benefits, harm fishlife and their habitats and prevent the natural drift of sand to create beaches.
Cr Olds said he “was not interested in a marina”.
He said a safe harbour was vital for a taxi ferry to operate from Port Douglas, dropping in at Palm Cove and Yorkeys Knob on the way to Cairns and vice-versa.
Cr Olds said cruise liners could anchor off Double Island and passengers be transported to and from Palm Cove.
Other users could be fishing charter operators and water taxis taking people to and from Double Island for day trips – if and when the current lease is terminated and a new lessor is found to return the destination to its former glory – as well as emergency services.
Advance Palm Cove president Robert Van Den Hoven said the group had never been involved in the marina concept which Mr Richards had been promoting for more than 10 years.
“I have had meetings with Brett Olds and Craig Crawford and discussed the functional jetty. Part of the safe harbour will be some type of a wave mitigation to make the jetty functional for reef boats to pick up guests, possible tenders from cruise ships and a possible lagoon built into the safe harbour,” he said.
“A safe harbour for Palm Cove would be a great opportunity to benefit the fast-growing cruise industry.”
