General News
18 July, 2026
Call for urgent lighting fixes
THE Mission Beach Boating Association (MBBA) has hit Cassowary Coast Regional Council with a comprehensive list of lighting failures at the Clump Point boating facility, warning that in the dark, the area is unsafe for boaties.
The audit, sent directly to council CEO Andrew Graffen, details widespread “deficiencies” across the boat ramp, breakwater, parking lots and amenities block.
The MBBA stressed they are not new issues, noting most have been ongoing for several months and previously brought to council’s attention.
According to the MBBA list, the amenities block and upper parking lot have no overhead lighting at all.
In the lower car park, two out of five solar-powered overhead poles are non-operational, while lights over the main fire hydrant and western boat wash-down area have been completely removed or left broken.
Conditions are reportedly worse along the breakwall, where solar panels and lights have been stripped from three main overhead poles and the end of the jetty.
The MBBA also highlighted a total absence of safety lighting on launching pontoons, the visitors’ jetty and refuelling fingers, warning that the existing black pylons for pen berths are virtually invisible to vessels attempting to navigate in or out.
The formal complaint follows growing concerns from local boatowners who face treacherous conditions when launching early in the morning. They have often had to arrive well before daylight on busier days to secure parking for their vehicles and boat trailers.
MBBA spokesman Paul Howell previously warned that reversing vessels into the water in pitch blackness is inherently unsafe, compounded by a lack of reflectors and low-hanging forest on the narrow Clump Point Road approach.
In response to the association’s audit, Mr Graffen confirmed via email that he has “actioned” the items falling under local government responsibility.
Because the facility is owned by the state, Mr Graffen has passed the remaining issues onto the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
Mr Graffen also indicated that Mayor Teresa Millwood will write directly to the state minister to advocate for broad lighting upgrades across the entire facility.
While council’s June financial report indicates that “Clump Point boat ramp solar lighting” is currently in the planning phase, boaties say any further delays are unacceptable as peak season approaches.
Read More: Mission Beach