Maryborough flood debris closes Hervey Bay beaches

Muddy mountains of mess are blanketing Hervey Bay’s pristine beaches in the wake of Mary River flooding but it’s what remains in the water that’s expected to pose the biggest risk. PHOTOS, VIDEO.

For 600 metres along the beach at Urangan near the marina, a stinking blanket of debris and dead fish makes for a sad and dangerous eyesore.

Even dead cattle, wildlife and bits of buildings have been found among the mountains of mess flushed into the sea from the flooding Mary River after business owners and farmers across Maryborough, Gympie and rural towns in between were caught off guard by hundreds of millimetres of rain.

Beaches on both sides of the Hervey Bay marina were closed on Wednesday as council crews tried to clean up.

In his 62 years living in the area, keen fisherman Geoff Melksham has seen nothing like it.

“The fish kill is quite significant,” he said.

“It’s never been like this in my lifetime.”

Walking along the beach at the end of Pulgul St, Mr Melksham estimated 20 tonnes of debris had washed up in that section alone and there were similar scenes across Hervey Bay and at River Heads, where livestock including a bull named Benjamin had washed up.

Along with the dead animals, dangerous debris including concrete pontoons and steel could be seen floating in the normally pristine Great Sandy Strait.

Mr Melksham said it was likely debris in the water would pose a risk to boaties for months.

“It can be really hazardous,” he said.

The Fraser Coast council on Wednesday issued a warning for people to watch out for machinery and beach closure signs.

“Numerous types of flood debris has been removed from beaches between Urangan and Scarness this week including animal carcasses, fish carcasses, oil and fuel tanks, timber pallets and marine and other environmental debris,” the statement read

“Be prepared to encounter machinery and work vehicles on the beach between Urangan and Scarness while crews are assessing conditions and undertaking ad hoc urgent works.

“People are asked to avoid the beach where possible while clean-up efforts are underway.”

The beaches on either side of the marina were first in line but the council’s contractor was expected to work their way north toward Urangan Pier for the rest of the week.

“ Beach closures in these active work locations will be in place to help operations move more swiftly and to protect public health and safety.”