Shipping Reporter exclusive
The creek running into the beach recently rated second in Queensland's top 10 by Surf Life Saving Queensland- Alma Bay , on Magnetic Island -was covered in pumice yesterday as was a large part of the nearby waterway and foreshore. The above photograph taken from the roped off damaged footbridge over Alma Creek ,looking upstream, shows the massive pumice coverage , including some piled up on the bank .
Pumice can be seen floating in the pool below the spillway in the above shot , much of it washed into the sea and onto the beach .
Pumice and other rubbish shown above near the path leading onto the beach. SLSQ’s criteria for compiling the top 10 beaches included a range of factors such as patrol times and service, incident history, coastal conditions, safety signage, cleanliness, access to amenities, parking and public transport. With Coolum on the Sunshine Coast judged number 1 , Alma was praised for being a pristine beach . Four Mile Beach at Port Douglas rated number four and Trinity Beach , Cairns , nine .
The extent of the pumice problem at Alma Bay , which has existed for years, without authorities getting their act together, is evident in the above photo taken looking along the beach several weeks ago . It is said the pumice was washed ashore from a volcanic eruption in the Solomon Islands years ago . This blog has raised the situation which has been neglected by the mainland media which needs a seismic shock to improve its poor coverage of the island, glibly described as Townsville's Jewel in the Crown , special mention of its "pristine" beaches . Because of the feeble media coverage , this blog intends to launch the Magnetic Island Reporter , a lively , regular coverage , with the help of the Shipping Reporter and others . You have been warned .
