Asbestos removal starts at Buckley’s Hole

A Bribie Island icon will get a makeover with a $640,000 contract awarded to remove asbestos from Buckley’s Hole and repair the staircase.

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery says the project is possible thanks to State Government support.

“Safety is critical here and we’ve got two sites covering roughly 4200sqm where asbestos has been illegally dumped,” Mayor Flannery says.

“We will fence those areas off for the safe removal and disposal of that material, taking all necessary safety precautions including air monitoring and only authorising qualified people to enter the site.

“This is part of our mission to ‘Go Green As We Grow’ by remediating important environmental areas and habitat which, in this case, has been damaged by dumping of waste.”

Abundant birdlife

Mayor Flannery says fortunately the project is away from water areas used by migratory birds.

“I want to thank the State Government for partnering with us on this important project and agreeing to contribute 50 percent of the project costs.”

Pumicestone MP Ali King says the conservation park covers an area of 87.7ha, which includes a freshwater lagoon, woodland, open forest and beach.

“The area is home to more than 190 species of birdlife making it a bird watchers’ paradise that needs to be protected,” Ms King says.

“Buckley’s Hole Conservation Park is also home to numerous native fauna species and is recognised nationally as important habitat for migratory shorebirds.

“This significant area is precious, and this funding improves public safety while restoring local environmental values.”

Ms King says the work will also include weed treatment and removal, revegetation and ongoing maintenance over the next two years.

New staircase

Cr Brooke Savige (Div 1) says according to local legend the body of water was named after a local angler who found the area particularly good for fishing.

“It’s our responsibility to return this natural wonder to its former glory and also ensure that there’s infrastructure here for locals and visitors to actually get down and enjoy Buckley’s Hole,” she says.

“That’s why part of the project will also involve replacing the dilapidated staircase.

“We’ll be replacing that with a new reinforced polymer material to withstand the coastal conditions and stainless steel fixtures to prevent rusting.

“This will provide access down the steep embankment from the road level (The Boulevard) down to the beach.”

Work starts this month is scheduled to take 12 weeks to complete, including an allowance for wet weather.