Response from SHRA. to Marina Proposal and Letter of Advice for Jan Jarratt.

Shutehaven Residents Response to Marina Proposal. Dear the Hon. Jan Jarratt MP, Member for Whitsunday, I have worked on coral reefs for over 40 years, on the GBR since 1965, in the Caribbean, and on the reefs of East Africa and Zanzibar and also New Guinea, and published papers on reef ecology and recently a book on reef management (Coral Reefs, Mangroves and Seagrasses: A Sourcebook for Managers; F.Talbot & C.Wilkinson, 2001; Australian Institute of Marine Science). Sadly I have watched the steady decline of reef systems. The reasons have been many, including forest clearing, urbanisation, sewage pollution, over-fishing and the removal of wetlands and mangroves. You have a gem in the Whitsunday area, and one that attracts thousands of tourists, many of them in yachts. The number of vessels is now so high that many anchorages that are destinations for the yachts are becoming crowded. More marina berths are already under way. I suggest you do not accept the very large Shute Harbour marina development in addition, as you are overburdening the area and damaging its shallow water systems. You will already know that the inshore reefs along much of the GBR are less than pristine. This new Shute Harbour development, destroying rich shallow ecosystems, just adds to the steady pressure on the reef in the Whitsunday area. The fame of the GBR is well known, but reef systems are common in the Indian and Pacific Ocean tropics...if the word was out that the GBR was tired, your tourists would flock to better reefs. Rather than slowly kill your golden goose, I suggest this development will do too much harm to the Whitsundays. You would be wise to prevent it. Your sincerely, Frank Talbot Professor F. H. Talbot, Sydney Institute of Marine Science Director Emeritus, US National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

Sound Advice. If you are of similar persuasion to our local member Jan Jarratt on the Shute Harbour Marina Project it might be of interest to read the letter opposite. The gentleman has offered this advice to her and all others that can't wait to destroy this valuable Heritage Area.Barge entering Shute Harbour. What a Difference. This project is being portrayed as an opportunity for Aboriginal Employment, the answer to the Boaties Prayer, at 10,000 dollars per annum mooring fees and a Community Centre for the residents of Shute Harbour. Aboriginals don't live here, Boaties aren't stupid and Shute Haven Residents have Coral Point Lodge as their Community Centre.