Whitsunday council delays decision on Dingo Beach swimming enclosure

A beloved Whitsundays seaside destination could lose its iconic swimming enclosure unless the council agrees to pay more than $60,000 to fix it. Read why councillors have delayed their decision. LATEST

The iconic swimming enclosure at Dingo Beach in the Whitsundays, before weather damaged the mesh. Picture: Contributed

The decision to repair an iconic Whitsundays swimming enclosure damaged in a recent weather event has been delayed.

In January, the enclosure at Dingo Beach was badly damaged by tropical cyclone Kirrily, requiring the Whitsunday Regional Council to remove mesh and wooden pylons.

The newly sworn in councillors have decided at the last ordinary meeting, which was presided for the first time by new mayor Ry Collins, to delay the decision of repairing it.

Council documents reveal the estimated overall costs could go beyond $60,000.

Councillor Gary Simpson, who had requested the motion after receiving a letter from the Dingo Beach Progress Association, told councillors a decision had to be made promptly to allow sufficient time to organise repairs before stinger season starts.

But other councillors asked for the decision not to be rushed.

Councillor Michelle Wright told members a letter from a committee did not represent the opinion of all Dingo Beach residents.

“Hard structures are like gold, I’d hate to see that lost to the public,” she said about the choice of replacing the over 50 year old swimming enclosure with a floating net.

“Bowen previously had one and now it’s gone.”

Cr John Collins told members of council further public consultation should be conducted to ‘cover our backs’.

A weather event in January 2024 damaged the swimming enclosure at Dingo Beach in the Whitsundays with the council then removing pylons and mesh. Picture: Julie Houston

Councillors were asked to decide whether to adopt recommendations to first remove the ruined enclosure to then secondly build a new one with a specially-fitted stinger net plus install education and warning signs.

The costs include $30,000 to remove the damaged enclosure, another $32,260 “plus no installation charge with a five-year hire agreement” to build a 50x50m enclosure, and $3500 for the double-sided signs.

The council has already allocated $70,000 across its 2023/24 and 2024/25 budgets to pay for the works.

Documents further state the council had not yet fixed the enclosure as it was waiting on advice from the Department of State Development and Infrastructure regarding necessary permits.

Dingo Beach resident of more than 20 years, Julie Houston, said the progress association asked the council to fix the enclosure, believed to be built by locals in the 1970s, as it was a drawcard for both residents and tourists.

A weather event in January 2024 damaged the swimming enclosure at Dingo Beach in the Whitsundays with the council then removing pylons and mesh. Picture: Julie Houston

Ms Houston said hundreds typically visited Dingo Beach over the Easter break but this year there was “bugger all people”.

“We’ve had that enclosure for so long, it was originally built by the locals many, many moons ago,” she said.

“And we’re always onto the council to fix it.”

Hideaway Bay resident David Walker said the enclosure was vital to protect swimmers from Irukandji, especially over summer, and the community would “be in an uproar” if the council voted against fixing it.

Council documents state the proposed stinger net, which is recommended to be installed for a trial period from October 2024 to May 2025, would be similar to the nets at Cannonvale and Boathaven Beach.

Councillors are further recommended to approve the continued use of the stinger net on the proviso no complaints or negative feedback is received during the trial.