Harbour Beach access clean up works to commence

NQBP Acting Chief Executive Officer Carissa Mansfield said NQBP was pleased to support the Mackay community by helping restore safe beach access at this popular location.

“Following recent severe weather in our region, including the effects of Cyclone Alfred, large woody debris has accumulated along the beach,” Ms Mansfield said.

“While outside our port area, Harbour Beach is located alongside our operations and we also have a long-standing relationship with the Mackay Surf Life Saving Club, who first raised the issue.

“So when we were approached, we were only too happy to do our bit in cleaning up the beach as part of our commitment to being a good neighbour and a responsible community member.”

The clean-up works will involve temporary closures of some beach access points. However, the beach access point directly in front of the Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club will remain open throughout the works.

“As the project progresses and large debris is removed, access points will be progressively reopened,” Ms Mansfield said.

“Our teams are working closely with Mackay Regional Council, local community groups, and environmental stakeholders to ensure the work is done efficiently and responsibly.”

The works will be carried out under all required approvals and permits.

Member for Mackay, Nigel Dalton MP, welcomed the works as an important contribution to the livability of the Mackay region.

“Mackay is renowned for its beaches, and the Surf Life Savers are an iconic part of our coastal lifestyle,” Mr Dalton said.

“When members from the Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club approached me asking for assistance in dealing with debris on the beach, I was keen to help them find a solution.

“I would like to thank NQBP and CEO Brendan Webb for taking proactive action in restoring safe and easy access to the beach.

“Thank you to our community for your patience during the beach clean-up - these short-term works mean a cleaner, safer coastline for everyone in Mackay.”

Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club President Brendan Smith expressed the Club’s appreciation of the collaborative effort to restore the beach to its former condition.

“Our Club as the “Guardians of Harbour Beach” understand the huge impact the state of the beach was having to tourists and the public after several significant harsh weather events,” Mr Smith said.

“We are very grateful to everyone involved for their efforts to make this valued community asset safe and usable once again.”

For public safety, community members are being asked to steer clear of operating machinery including excavators and trucks and adhere to all on-site signage.

Initial mobilisation, including establishing safe beach access for machinery, will begin on Monday 19 May, with full operations underway from Tuesday 20 May.

Works are expected to take a week to complete.

Image for download

Image | Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton MP, Mackay Surf Life  Saving Club Patrol Captain Paul Smith and NQBP Acting CEO Carissa Mansfield at Mackay Harbour Beach.

Image | Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club  Patrol Captain Paul Smith, NQBP Acting CEO Carissa Mansfield and Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton MP have joined together to help clean up the debris caused by recent weather.

Image | Mackay Surf Lifesaving Club Patrol Captain Paul Smith and Board and Ski Captain Stephan Bird encourage the community to continue to visit Mackay Harbour Beach through access near the Surf Club.

Image | Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton MP, Mackay Surf Life  Saving Club Patrol Captain Paul Smith and NQBP Acting CEO Carissa Mansfield at Mackay Harbour Beach.

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation contact:

Emilie Power | Senior Advisor Community Relationship
07 4969 0773 | epower@nqbp.com.au