FORMER Redland councillor Frank Bradley says the damage to Moreton Bay fisheries from dredging for the $1.3 billion Toondah Harbour expansion will be so significant the development should be dropped.
Mr Bradley said the biggest threat to fisheries’ resources was acid sulphate soils, which would be exposed by dredging.
Mr Bradley, who also was a professional fisherman, said damage would be done by dredge plumes and any potential spoil dumping.
“Acid sulphate soils are genocidal to any forms of fish life,’’ he said.
Mr Bradley said water quality in the Cleveland region was outstanding when tested by the federal government when the CSIRO marine research laboratory at the Toondah end of Middle Street was built in 1977.
“That’s why people used to line up to catch tailor at Cleveland Point,’’ Mr Bradley said. “You had to get there early to get a spot.’’
Walker Corp general manager Queensland Peter Saba said the project had been referred to the federal government as a controlled action, with further detailed environmental assessment to be undertaken.
He said an Environmental Impact Statement would require all potential impacts to Moreton Bay be assessed before an approval would be granted.
“Walker is committed to undertaking further detailed assessment, including the development of appropriate mitigation and offset measures through an EIS,’’ Mr Saba said.
Mr Bradley said water quality could not be sustained if such a large development occurred.
He said there had been substantial coral beds off Cleveland on the northern side of Cassim Island which were nearly as good as those at nearby Peel Island.
However, these beds had been dying off and dredging would be the end of them.
“Acid sulphate soils will damage all marine life, including corals,’’ Mr Bradley said. “Pro fishermen have seen damage being done for 30-odd years.’’
He said it was almost a joke that the promoters of the Toondah Harbour development would carry the argument that they would redevelop nearly 40ha (some of which was under water) when there would be a net environmental loss.
He said spoil from any dredging should be shipped to toxic waste dumps for treatment.
Asked what he would do about the need for harbour expansion, he said there was ample space already for ferries and barges to be turned around.
“To put a marina in there is absolute stupidity,’’ he said. “It’s just greed. If these blokes don’t have the ability to drive a barge in there with a bit of traffic, they should have their licences taken off them.’’
