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.