Hinchinbrook faces protest blockade
By Bill Mason
BRISBANE — Conservationists from north Queensland plan demonstrations and a blockade of the Hinchinbrook site of developer Keith Williams' resort project, finally approved by the federal government on August 22.
A protest rally was held here on August 25 to launch the latest phase of the long campaign against the Hinchinbrook project. A major rally is planned for September 1 at Cardwell, near the resort site.
Williams has warned conservationists they will be arrested if they enter the site of the controversial $100 million resort, which adjoins the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Marine Park, 200 km north of Townsville.
Conservationists plan a High Court challenge to the development, after a strong response to a nationwide appeal for a fighting fund to oppose the project.
Queensland Conservation Council coordinator Imogen Zethoven said on August 22 that the federal government's decision was "a disgrace" and remained incredulous that "the largest tourist development in Australia can go ahead without an environmental impact assessment".
Margaret Moorhouse of the North Queensland Conservation Council campaigner said she feared Williams would build an artificial beach by stealth by abusing a vaguely worded clause in the deed of agreement with the government calling for him to stabilise the foreshore.
Moorhouse said boats using the Hinchinbrook Channel would rip up the seagrass beds on which endangered dugong feed, and pollution from the 234-berth marina would further accelerate their decline.