RESPONSE TO MASSIVE FORESHORE EROSION ON MACLEAY FORESHORE IS A RELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITY The massive foreshore erosion on the cliff face adjacent to the Macleay Island barge ramp, is a relegation of responsibility. The matter is so dire, that some form of temporary but immediate protection should be put in place until a more adequate solution is available. The situation has been observed by all and sundry for years as more than 100 barge and ferry movements a day create waves that continually pound the embankment. Some locals say that over the years more than 10 metres of embankment have fallen away. The latest is a massive avalanche that is there for all to see. Another major avalanche is predicted at any time further around the embankment that involves a precarious stairway that was built many years ago. The Friendly Bay Islander has featured the situation because something needs to be done about it NOW! Adjoining landowners have been frustrated for years from bringing attention to the situation; now to see that the process is now seeing their land fall into Moreton Bay. It has been difficult for the landowners, and us, to identify which level of Government is responsible. The landowners' property boundary used to finish well before the cliff top. Now it is right on the precipice. From what we can gather, the State Government owns land that is between the landowners’ boundaries and the water. However, maintenance we believe, is the responsibility of the council. Redland City Council finally told us that: “Council has commissioned a vessel wash study by a coastal engineer to determine if vessels using the Macleay Island barge ramp are contributing to erosion of the adjacent embankment. “This study, which is expected to be finalised soon, will guide future actions. “Council is working with the Department of Environment and Science in relation to this issue.” Well, we can tell council and the coastal engineer who is doing the study, all they have to do is go up the embankment and observe and they will get their answer. We did, and the area is literally belted by wave after wave from several directions (and can be clearly seen and observed): 1. Accelerating passenger ferries leaving the Macleay Island jetty/terminal; 2. From the vehicular barges arriving and leaving after docking at the Macleay Island barge ramp. This is exacerbated by their directional system that produces huge amounts of water either side of the vessels in their docking process. 3. From craft further out in the channel traversing the waterway. All of these are necessary, but they also need to be managed.
The solutions? To us, there are three choices:
a. Clearly a temporary wall of some sort needs to be erected now. This could be just large sandstone blocks in the short term.
b. A much more permanent solution in the form of a larger wall structure could be designed and erected.
c. Move the barge ramp completely from this area and locate it where there are no accompanying embankments.
Whatever happens, something needs to be done NOW!
