General News
9 April, 2026
New stairs need budget OK
WORK is due to start on removing the stairs at Perry Harvey Jetty in Mission Beach next week – and there is a glimmer of hope new stairs might be installed as early as the second half of this year.
Cassowary Coast Regional Council decided to remove the stairs due to their dilapidated and weather-affected condition – and has scheduled the task of removing the structure from 13-17 April, during which time the jetty will be closed to the public.
“The decision has been made to permanently remove the stairs on the southern side of the Perry Harvey Jetty due to safety and asset condition,” a spokeswoman told The Observer.
“The existing stairs and platforms are not practicable to repair,” she said.
While council recently reclarified that the main purpose of the jetty was as a fishing and viewing platform, the stairs were used occasionally in suitable weather conditions for boat passengers to access vessels, especially when spaces were all taken up at the nearby Clump Point boating facility on busy weekends.
In its latest communication with the newspaper, council has not ruled out replacement stairs and has indicated money could be found in its next financial year’s budget.
“Council officers are investigating costs for potential reinstatement or replacement; however, there is currently no funded project for this work,” the spokeswoman said.
“Any future option will be considered by council as part of the 2026/27 capital budget, alongside other priority projects, with the budget expected to be adopted in June 2026,” she added.
“Council acknowledges and thanks the Mission Beach Boating Association and other stakeholders for taking the time to share their views.”
The association’s views on the structure were put in an earlier letter to The Observer.
“The MBBA sees the jetty and stairs as an integral part of tourism and the community,” the letter stated.
“We look forward to seeing the said reports and quotes from CCRC,” it added.
“The MBBA is awaiting council correspondence as to the damage and repair costs of the platform and stairs.”
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