General News
20 May, 2026
Harbour land grab
SEVERAL property owners close to Mourilyan Harbour’s port area are set to lose their land and homes soon under compulsory acquisition – as Cassowary Coast Regional Council “investigates” new development areas to complement the port’s expanded trade.
Over the next two to three years Mourilyan Port is expected to start handling major increases in sand and silica products from an expanded mine at Kurrimine Beach.
Council has written to property owners along Mourilyan Road and, has held individual meetings with them, over what council calls potential locations for new development areas that will “support the future economic growth” of the region.
The Observer has obtained a copy of the letter, which says: “Due to the forecast future growth of trade and infrastructure at the Port of Mourilyan proposed in the coming decade, one such development area being considered is located in proximity to the entrance to the Port of Mourilyan precinct.”
“Your abovementioned land currently falls within the area that is being considered for potential future development,” the letter says. “It should be noted, however, that no formal decisions have been made by the council and the state government regarding the location or advancement of the development and all investigations are preliminary.”
But property owners the newspaper spoke to – who prefer not to be named at this point – have said council has since indicated it is intent on proceeding with the land acquisition.
The property owners said council had even foreshadowed that properties had already been valued by a professional valuer and would be offered “their market value plus 10%,” according to one owner.
Ports North recently placed newspaper advertisements, including in an earlier edition of this paper, asking for public comment on its proposal to update its ‘land use plan’ at Mourilyan.
“There may be some confusion between the Ports North consultation process and council’s separate ‘Future Industries Precinct’ work due to the connection with the Port of Mourilyan and regional economic development opportunities,” a Ports North spokeswoman told the newspaper. “Cassowary Coast council have asked us to direct any inquiries relating to the Future Industries Precinct to them,” she said.
“The two projects are in no way related to each other and just happen to be happening around the same time.”
Ports North has also dismissed rumours that property owners say they have heard about other infrastructure being built in and around Mourilyan Harbour in the near future – at least on its land – including large fuel storage tanks and major upgrades to existing port infrastructure.
“There are no fuel storage containers planned for the port,” the spokeswoman said.
“There are no major planned upgrades to Mourilyan Harbour apart from business-as-usual activities.
“Ports North planned upgrades will be concentrated on maintenance of existing in-water assets, namely the sugar wharf fender upgrade. Those works are planned for the second half of 2026.
“No new infrastructure will be added apart from a power upgrade to the existing Ergon high voltage supply. Export of silica sand by Silica Resources Australia will be conducted from the existing sugar wharf. There are no planned upgrades of in-water assets planned.”
Council acknowledged questions from The Observer and is preparing a response that missed this week’s deadlines. A follow-up story will appear in the 27 May edition.
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