General News
8 March, 2026
Jetty future still in limbo
BOAT owners are again pondering the future of the Perry Harvey Jetty at Mission Beach and its limited use for vessels throughout the year.
Repairs are needed to stairs which descend to a platform on the jetty, allowing access for boaties and passengers on certain tides – and at only a few times a year due to prevailing weather conditions.
But the Mission Beach Boating Association (MBBA) says Cassowary Coast Regional Council should not spend any more “significant” money on the jetty because it is only really useful as a fishing platform and for visitors to view the beach area and surrounds.
Richard Giuliany, a co-founder of the MBBA and long-time advocate for better boating facilities for the area, says only a few boatowners can use the jetty.
“The reality is, it can only ever be used in very calm weather, end of story,” he told The Observer.
“There’s a small percentage of people who have been around a long time at Mission Beach who know when, and when not to use it for that sort of application,” he said.
“Obviously they won’t be visitors because they don’t understand, they don’t know the history of the weather.”
Mr Giuliany and others in the boating community lobbied fiercely for a proper boating facility just across the water from the jetty at Clump Point.
But he says the Perry Harvey Jetty – built at a cost of $3.8 million mainly for boats to use – was simply in the wrong place and was not built for boat and passenger safety.
In a previous report about Mission Beach’s boating facilities, which the MBBA says was practically ignored by Council when it was designing the existing jetty, there are several issues the boaties’ group highlighted about safety and structural integrity.
“Workable solution – put the marine facility in a natural much better location that is readily available adjacent to the boat ramp in Boat Bay at Clump Point,” the MBBA report said about two years after the jetty was completed.
“As previously reported to members (and as well many times to the relevant people) the Perry Harvey jetty does not have any “buffer piles” (timber pylons driven in besides the jetty and held to the jetty with chains) that are needed to protect vessels from damage against the concrete Jetty and/or the large steel piles that support the Jetty,” it said.
Council has indicated that it is unlikely to be seeking any funding or using its budget for any substantial improvements or upgrades to the jetty, such as to add buffer piles.
A spokeswoman said: “The stairs have been closed and identified as requiring assessment due to structural concerns.”
A decision has yet to be made about whether the stairs will be repaired or replaced.
“Council is considering appropriate action through its asset management and capital budgeting processes,” the spokeswoman added.
“As with all Council assets, decisions will be based on safety, condition and available funding.”
Council also says it decided in 2019 to change the function of the Perry Harvey Jetty from a commercial jetty to a viewing and fishing platform.
“Council’s approach is to maintain the jetty in a safe and serviceable condition for recreational use, with future decisions guided by asset condition, safety and financial sustainability,” the spokeswoman said.
“It is not intended to operate as a full commercial boating facility.
“The Clump Point marine infrastructure provides safer and more suitable facilities for that purpose.
“Should future changes to the jetty’s function or access arrangements be proposed, Council would engage with relevant stakeholders as appropriate.”
Read More: Mission Beach