Tourists lookout on Russell Island

Tourist attraction on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands
Like many people, the Moreton Bay Combined Island Association ( MBCIA ) is keen to promote tourism on the Bay Islands but again, like many people, the Association is aware that the islands lack sufficient attractions to entice visitors to the islands for more than a day visit.

The Association will, over the next few months, put forward some suggestions for possible tourism projects.

The first of these suggestions is for [Black Swan Bay on the northern end of Russell Island and to the east of the barge ramp]

[This would be] the creation of a lagoon and the creation of a extensive sandy beach without causing destruction to the existing mangroves. It also includes the creation of an artificial reef which would encourage marine life and could become a magnet for inexperienced snorkellers.

The reef could be composed of old island car bodies with all parts removed leaving just the bare metal shell.

A “work for the dole” scheme could be used to strip the cars and the parts removed could either be sold to a car wrecker or sold as scrap metal to defray part of the cost of the scheme. Alternatively the reef could be made up of concrete tetrapods but of course this would be much more expensive.

The existing mud floor of the bay could be pumped out back to the original sandy base with the pumped mud spread, dried and when mixed with mulched vegetation, used as a garden additive.

Some of the existing mud flats would be retained to preserve the natural flow of the sea thus preserving the existing mangroves.

A few elevated boardwalks would traverse the mud flats thus providing access to the formed beach and lagoon.

With the existing tourist accommodation at Dugong Cove together with the proposed Eco Resort adjoining the site this will provide a beautiful frontage for tourists to enjoy.

The addition of other facilities such as a restaurant or two would further add to the attraction.

Attached to this article is an aerial photograph with the proposal outlined together with a cross section through the proposed lagoon/beach.

Infrastructure and Planning Minister visits SMBI

from the Bay Journal
The Queensland Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe, made a lightning vist to the Southern Moreton Bay Islands on Friday to understand the issues troubling them.

The visit was made at the invitation of Redland City Mayor Melva Hobson fulfilling a promise to the islanders to get more attention being paid to the islands.

Briefing notes prepared by the Council and given to the Minister showed "significant challenges" due to:

.limited infrastructure provision
.increasing costs required to address all the problems
.the magnitude of the issues increasing with continued growth and
lack of political awareness.

The notes warned that without a coordinated governmental approach, the islands would continue to generate negative environmental impacts on the Bay and create social and economic difficulties at local, state and federal levels.
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Straddie holiday parks redefined

From the Bay Journal
The community has the chance to help define the values of the Straddie Holiday Parks, as part of a land management plan to be developed for the popular community facilities according to the Redland City Council.

As part of the process of leasing the management of the holiday parks, Council is required by the Department of Environment and Resource Management to develop a land management plan.

Redland City Mayor, Melva Hobson, said the community had an opportunity to have input into the plan, which would provide strategic guidance for how the holiday parks were managed and developed in the future.
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Fishing in Moreton Bay

Fishing in Moreton Bay |
A days trip in Moreton Bay can produce some of the most spectacular fishing in South East Queensland. Check out the snapper landed on a soft plastic in the middle of the day. See Video...

Outstanding Home on RUSSELL ISLAND

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View Photos

Additional parking available weekdays at Weinam Creek

Week Days Only
An additional 39 commuter car parks will soon be available at Weinam Creek, with a shared parking arrangement about to be put in place at the boat trailer park along Banana St.

Consistent with other popular waterfront parking areas, and flowing on from the adoption of the Redland Bay Centre and Foreshore Master Plan, Redland City Council has introduced shared parking from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) to create an additional 39 car parks at the boat trailer park.

The move coincides with the pending closure from 15 February of an unauthorised car park on the dredge spoil site at Redland Bay, currently used by an average of 20 to 25 vehicles a day.read more....