Palm Cove Jetty subject of proposed upgrade by community, Council and Barron River MP
Emergency services will benefit from a proposed infrastructure upgrade at Palm Cove after their crews were put in danger during a daytime rescue.
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Far North politicians have begun talks to upgrade Palm Cove Jetty with the intention of ensuring future safe use for emergency services, recreational boaties and tourism operators.
The announcement comes after harsh weather threw an SES vessel against the jetty and damaged it during an emergency situation on Thursday, October 12.
Crews were attempting to extricate a man who suffered a leg injury at Buchan Point when strong wind and waves continuously bashed their boat against the jetty’s pylons and deck.
“SES crews were assisting police to extract a camper,” a QFES spokesman said.
“Due to large waves and wind the boat hit the Palm Cove Jetty and was damaged.”
Wayne Coutts, the regional SES director, said his crews would take advantage of safer infrastructure for future rescue operations.
“The crew knew (Thursday’s conditions) would be dicey and they’d get a few dings in the boat, but that’s what they had to do at the time (to extricate the casualty),” Mr Coutts said.
“We’d gladly take advantage of (infrastructure) that’s better, but we’re trained to work with whatever is available.”
Advance Palm Cove president David Goodinson said he had spoken with Barron River MP Craig Crawford and Division 9 councillor Brett Olds about the jetty upgrade.
He said both supported the idea.
“The end state is to have a functional jetty that can be used for the purpose it had when it was built … so that boats could safely moor,” Mr Goodinson said.
“The prevailing southeast winds have made it unsafe for people to get on and off boats. The jetty needs a defence system so the waters are smooth enough for boats to pull up.”
Recent state government action concerning the Double Island lease has renewed prospects for future tourism use of the island, which lies about 1.5km from Palm Cove Jetty.
Craig Crawford said he had written to Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey requesting DTMR complete a feasibility assessment for a potential upgrade.
“The next phase, if we progress to it, would be to see if an engineering solution could be achieved to allow smaller craft to use part of the jetty safely, including any potential connection to Double Island,” Mr Crawford said.
Brett Olds backed the idea but said project hurdles – including infrastructure works inside the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which would involve federal government agencies – meant potential project completion would likely come after the next state government election in October 2024.
“If we can get 10m boats back to safely mooring on the jetty, it could bring back Double Island shuttles and water taxis in the Northern Beaches,” Mr Olds said.
“The council is working proactively with the state government on this. We need a functional jetty at Palm Cove.”
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Originally published as Palm Cove Jetty subject of proposed upgrade by community, Council and Barron River MP
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