On my voyage north in 2011, one of the most pleasant places I stayed at was Great Keppel Island.
The complete Island is now under threat of a major resort development and one of the things sort by the developer is the banning of anchoring around the island EXCEPT in their marina!
If you can, please sign the petitions so that you and I can visit this wonderful place without restrictions in the future.
http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-development-of-great-keppel-islands-public-land-lot21-and-a-marina-on-putney-beach
- Great Keppel Island.
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Great Keppel Island - The Peoples Island (Qld, Australia)
One of the most beautiful islands along the Capricorn Coast is in the cross-hairs of a development company. With a planned 250 berth marina, 750 villas, 300 apartments and a 250 room hotel, plus golf course, sports field and a shopping and cafe precinct, the island as we know it is set to be destroyed.
Most people would agree that a re-development of the existing resort site would be welcomed and acceptable - however with the inclusion of the additional 750 villas & 300 apartments it seems to be a real-estate money grab. This is land that is owned by the people of Australia and leased by the government to the company, which they plan to sell off for their own commercial gain. On top of this, areas of high environmental significance will be destroyed or altered. Effects from run-off and fertilizers will impact heavily on the usually clear, pristine waters that surround the island.
The proposed Marina is to be built on one of the shallowest beaches on the island. The area is a also few hundred metres from a marine national park and green zone. Adjacent to the Marina development is also passage rocks which has the 2nd highest coral diversity in the Keppel’s. Corals are very susceptible to the sediments that continual dredging of the marina and access channel will deposit.
By signing this petition you agree that:
• I support the re-development of the resort on the existing 38 hectare site.
• I oppose the development of Lot 21 (875 ha) for villas and a golf course. I support the state government’s assessment that Lot 21 be reserved for conservation purposes. The current lease of Lot 21 is for recreation and public access, not real estate.
• I oppose the building of a marina at Putney Beach due to the damage that will be caused to the sensitive marine environment in the vicinity including fringing coral reefs.
http://www.change.org/petitions/great-barrier-reef-marine-park-authority-add-passage-rocks-to-the-middle-island-green-zone
- Green Rocks.
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Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority: Add Passage Rocks to the Middle Island Green Zone
Passage Rocks is a few hundred metres from the Middle Island Green Zone and should be included as a part of that zone for the following reasons:
Passage Rocks at Keppel Bay Queensland, has the second highest coral diversity of the whole Keppel group (Jones et al. 2011).
Passage rocks reef is incredibly diverse despite only being 4.5 Ha. The site of the highest diversity, (Humpy island), is 68 Ha (and is on the opposite side of the island). Therefore it would seem that the Passage Rocks is very significant.
Passage rocks is a refuge for coral species not well represented in other parts of the Keppel’s - important given the stress to corals from flood plumes and agricultural runoff via the Fitzroy river and proposed Development.
A 250 berth marina development is proposed adjacent to Passage Rocks and the dredging & extra boat traffic required for the marina could harm the fragile ecosystem.
My thanks to those that can help.
