SERIOUS questions over the environmental impact of the proposed Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort have been raised by not-for-profit organisation CoralWatch.

Based at The University of Queensland, CoralWatch integrates global reef monitoring with education and outreach to create reef awareness.

Young local businesswoman and passionate environmental spokesperson Breannah Mitchell has identified a number of thought-leading discussions around development and its conscious impact on the surrounding natural landscape.

“Most people understand that what we do on land affects our oceans. Hervey Bay CoralWatch have definite concerns for the future of our marine eco-systems including endangered species that will be impacted by the proposed Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort, towering above the Esplanade tree-line and even being visible from K’gari (Fraser Island),” Hervey Bay CoralWatch ambassador Breannah said.

“Many members of our community are scared to speak out about their opposition to the proposed Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort and the precedent it will set for future development for fear of backlash from others who think that this kind of development is a good thing for the future of Hervey Bay.”

“Town Plans provide a community with certainty. Residents and Council of Hervey Bay have always understood the negative aesthetic and environmental impacts that go hand in hand with high-rise development above the tree-line.” 

“Byron Bay and Noosa Councils have also adopted similar practices.”

“The height of the proposed Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort would be more than three times the current height restrictions for Torquay, and developers have made it clear that it is not profitable for them to invest in Hervey Bay under the current height restrictions.”

“No matter which way you look at it however, this development does nothing to help solve the affordable housing crisis in Hervey Bay. 

“We are not suggesting for one second that there shouldn’t be any multi-storey development along the Esplanade, we are only reiterating that development should be in alignment with the Town Plan.”

“The need for five-star accommodation and night life doesn’t automatically mean that two thirds of the development should protrude above the existing tree-line so that every room can have ocean views.”

“Most people move to Hervey Bay for its relaxed beach atmosphere and marine mecca but much of our community do not know that we have unique fringing coral reefs which are easily accessible all along our foreshore. 

“It is indeed this point of difference which sets us apart from other tourist destinations like Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Cairns.”

“Even Tourism Queensland and Fraser Coast Tourism and Events don’t seem to know about these reefs and the tourism they could bring to this the region.”

“We are puzzled that there was no original mention of reefs in the development application for the proposed Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort or the environmental impacts on the reefs.”

Breannah asserts that some of the corals that can be found on our foreshore reefs include rare and unusual species of coral which are more diverse and well developed than those to the south off the Sunshine Coast and in Moreton Bay.

“What we want to point out to the public is that reefs like these are a rare find. There is nowhere else in Australia that coral reefs are this accessible - just by walking fifty metres into the water from the sandy shores of a major urban centre’.

“Coral reefs are steadily disappearing around the globe with our corals in Hervey Bay showing signs of stress from bleaching events.”

“It is our understanding that more than 90% of the stormwater runoff from the proposed Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort will be diverted through Tooan Tooan creek (along with accompanying sediment) out onto the new coral reef Marine Park Green zone (MNP17) at Pialba.”

Breannah said vulnerable species of coral, Turbinaria reniformis had been identified in this area.

This coral is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) red list of threatened species.

“But while plastics and land runoff are recognised forms of pollution which threaten the health of marine eco-systems, people would be surprised to know that light pollution is also highly damaging.”

“Researchers Dr Thomas Davies (Plymouth University), Prof Tim Smyth (Plymouth Marine Laboratory) and Prof Oren Levy (Bar-llan University) have studied the impacts of artificial light (ALAN) upon coastal eco-systems around the world and have assessed the impact of Hervey Bay’s sky-glow (based on the Global Atlas of light pollution) advising that unlike the Great Barrier Reef, Hervey Bay’s coral reefs are incredibly close to shore which make them highly susceptible to adverse impacts from light pollution.”

“They have confirmed that light emitted from high rise buildings such as the proposed Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort will directly penetrate the ocean’s surface, impacting upon all local coral reefs and ultimately compromising their ability to spawn, grow and recover from natural stressors such as bleaching and the impact of floods.”

“Further research indicates that artificial light interrupts the functioning of the entire marine eco-system and its organisms which rely upon the protection of darkness to rest or feed.”

“Endangered Loggerhead turtles nest on Hervey Bay Beaches including Torquay Beach. If the proposed Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort development is allowed to proceed beyond the tree-line, they would no longer want to nest there due to light spillage onto the beach and foreshore reefs as well as increased human traffic.”

Fraser Coast loggerhead turtle nest relocation/shell count nest group founders Don and Lesley Bradley have been discreet in their efforts to manage the turtle nests for the past ten years so that human and animal interference is kept to a minimum.

“Torquay Beach is a perfect nesting beach for turtles to lay their eggs on the sandy dunes as the beach is very dark because of the vegetation behind it,” Lesley said.

“Loggerhead turtle nests are increasing in Hervey Bay year by year, in comparison to Mon Repos where there have been a lot lower numbers than average.”

“More turtles are coming further south to nest to increase the chance of male turtle hatchlings. This has been shown by turtle counts on Cooloola Coast and Northern New South Wales.” 

“As the waters are becoming warmer, turtle nests are being dominated by female hatchlings.”

“Keeping in mind that turtles don’t necessarily nest every year, nor at the exact same spot, they may try to nest at other beaches within the region that they were born. 

“For instance, a turtle may find it crowded at Gatakers Bay or Mon Repos and decide to nest on Scarness or Torquay beach instead.”

“Green sea turtles forage in Hervey Bay waters and lay their eggs on the islands and coral cays but mostly it is the endangered loggerheads that nest along the coastal beaches of this region.”

“If Turtles are startled, they may drop their eggs on the beach or into water as they try to hurry back to the safety of the ocean. If the light from the proposed Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort is above the trees, the light will then confuse the turtles trying to nest and they will think that it is the ocean because it would be the brightest light.”

“Keeping our unique coral reefs healthy will not only ensure our foreshore is protected from erosion and catastrophic impacts of tidal surge, but it also offers our youth with opportunities to connect intimately with nature without the need for a boat.”

“Our coral reefs are part of the Great Sandy Biosphere which present tertiary study/research opportunities for our youth as well. Many readers would have spent quiet moments on the shores of Point Vernon or out on their boat only to find themselves captivated by the sight of the Hervey Bay foreshore and surrounds being devoid of all reminders of civilization.”

“This, is what truly attracts visitors to this region.”

“Greater pride, awareness and promotion of our natural assets will boost our local economy without the need for high-rise development above the tree-line.”