General News
6 May, 2026
Daughter’s plea
A CAMPAIGN to maintain the upkeep and functions of Mission Beach’s iconic jetty has been backed by none other than the daughter of the local tourism pioneer who the structure is named after – Perry Harvey.
A set of stairs and their attached platforms were recently removed from the jetty after being deemed unsafe due to deterioration from years of saltwater exposure.
But its owner, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, has not committed to any replacement stairs and platforms, so far declining to reveal whether money has been allocated in its 2026-27 budget for the jetty.
Local families recently took part in an afternoon fishing competition on the jetty, organised by the Mission Beach Boating Association, which said was a show of strength and support for the re-instatement of the structure’s stairs and platforms, and ongoing maintenance.
Now, Perry Harvey’s daughter, Sandra Harris, has written an impassioned letter to council, saying she strongly supports the structure’s “urgent repair”, maintenance and preservation.
“My late father, Perry Harvey, after whom the jetty is named, would have been deeply dismayed to see the current condition of this important community asset,” Ms Harvey’s letter stated.
“The jetty stands, not only as a tribute to his legacy, but also as a vital and well-used piece of infrastructure for locals, fishermen and tourists alike,” she said.
Ms Harris’s parents, Perry and Brenda Harvey, were instrumental in developing the tourism and maritime landscape of the Mission Beach and Dunk Island area.
Besides founding several early reef tourism ventures, Mr Harvey was also a well-known environmentalist who fought against coral mining.
“Every day, the jetty serves multiple practical purposes. Probably what most surprised me was the signage,” Ms Harris said.
“It provides safe access for fishing, including landing catches and gathering bait, and offers an essential point for boarding small vessels – particularly when nearby facilities, such as the Clump Point boat ramp, are at capacity.
“The platforms and stairs currently under threat of removal are not optional extras – they are integral to the safe and functional use of the jetty.
“Allowing it to deteriorate or removing key access structures without replacement would represent a significant loss to the region,” she wrote.
While Perry Harvey Jetty is used substantially for recreational fishing, Ms Harris has made it clear to council that they might be missing its iconic significance.
“I am also concerned by the apparent reclassification of the jetty as a ‘fishing platform’, which seems to have resulted in reduced maintenance obligations,” she wrote.
“This approach risks creating a cycle of decline that may ultimately be used to justify the jetty’s removal altogether.
“Given that the jetty was rebuilt with state and federal funding, it is reasonable for the community to expect that it be properly maintained and preserved.
“This jetty is more than infrastructure – it is part of the community’s identity and a resource for current and future generations. I strongly encourage council to act in its preservation rather than allow its decline.”
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