Cairns resorts: Dunk Island works under way to restore Spit Bar

Heavy machinery has started replenishing sand on Dunk Island as part of works to restore the popular Spit Bar.

Mayfair Iconic Properties hired Seaswift's Malu Chief to transport heavy machinery to Dunk Island in February 2020

• New vessel launched by Mayfair Iconic Properties
• Plans for Spit Bar revealed

HEAVY machinery has started replenishing sand on Dunk Island as part of works to restore the popular Spit Bar.

Mayfair Iconic Properties chief executive Stuart Duplock said Seaswift’s Malu Chief barge was used to transfer two pieces of machinery and three vehicles on Wednesday and Thursday. Yesterday, the company’s own Jarrah T barge left Norship’s slipway at Portsmith for the island filled with more construction gear.

Mr Duplock said part of MIP’s responsibility in taking over the lease at the spit from Cassowary Coast Regional Council was to replenish the sand at the island.

The Malu Chief.

“The heavy machinery will live on the island to do that task and other tasks as required,” he said.

“The barge that delivered the machinery was hired by Seaswift because the load was bigger than our barge could accommodate in one crossing.

“Our barge went back in to the water (yesterday) at Norship Cairns at 6am and that will be a regular feature between Mourilyan Harbour and Dunk Island.

“The sand replenishment is a three or four-week exercise which is a precursor to the building of the Spit Bar adjacent to the jetty. Essentially we’re under way.”

Mr Duplock also confirmed residential properties bought by the company in the Mission Beach area were “going straight back into the market”.

Machinery unloaded on to the island.

“Unless they need some renovation, which some do, they are being rented. We have completed renovations on those properties which needed it,” he said. “We’re not using Airbnb, we’re using local real estate agents to manage those properties, so there’s been no real change to the status quo there.”

The company has already held a number of community meetings to update residents on projects and Mr Duplock said that would continue when there was new information to share.

“At the moment, we’re excited about that barge getting back into the water – we’ve got machinery and local people on the island working,” he said.

Mayfair Iconic Properties plans for a beachside bar and a revival of watersports at the Dunk Island spit.

Artist’s impressions reveal low-set buildings on the foreshore decked out with sun lounges and a shaded daybed area to the south of the existing public jetty.

It’s understood the facilities will be geared towards day-trippers as cyclone-damaged accommodation in the main resort remains uninhabitable.

Originally published as Cairns resorts: Dunk Island works under way to restore Spit Bar