Big Plans for Russell Island

AN artificial reef and lagoon off Russell Island have been touted as a possible future tourist attraction by an island advocacy group.

Secretary and treasurer of the Moreton Bay Combined Island Association (MBCIA), Brian Paddison, proposed the development for Black Swan Bay, on the northern end of the island.

It would see the islands’ collection of abandoned cars used to build the reef, with their engines, tyres and other excess parts stripped in a work for the dole program and sold to offset costs of the project.

“There have been concerns raised about the viability of car bodies, but they won’t rust quickly because they’ll be fully submerged, and they won’t wash away or be dislodged because they’re in a protected bay without strong tides,” Mr Paddison said.

“The water there is also quite shallow, which would make a reef there perfect for amateur divers.”

Mr Paddison’s proposal would also see the mud flats in the basin pumped to reveal the sandy base he believes is only half a metre below the surface, with the vegetation rich mud to be mixed with mulch and used for compost.

“All the swans that gave the bay their name have moved on to other parts of the island because the mud build up is too much, there is sand not far below that can be revealed,” he said.

Mr Paddison said the lagoon and beach, to be formed by the sandy beach and artificial reef, would be complemented by elevated boardwalks.

“I intend to talk to Redlands Tourism soon about looking into securing government funding for a research grant to make sure this is a viable proposition,” Mr Paddison said.

The proposal would be likely to face significant hurdles from the State Government, which declared Black Swan Bay a ‘‘yellow zone’’ last year, prohibiting trawling, dredging, spoil disposal, waste disposal and coastal development.