COASTAL ENVIRONMENTSISSUE ANALYSIS
... beach. The local business community is not impressed with the way the development is happening. The trucks transporting the sand travel through the shopping district and even through one of the shopping centre car parks, during the peak shopping period. The business owners claim that the trucks are driving away the customers and the money they bring. Brian Smyth, the City Projects Manager, agrees that the trucks are travelling along a controversial route. However it is the best route possible of all the parties involved. He made the point several times that although there maybe some hassles during the development, in the end the community especially the traders will benefit from the beach. John Metcalf is a resident of Cairns. He has seen how the tourist industry has transformed Cairns and this time he says it has gone too far. It removes the mangroves and the home of many migratory birds. Although the artificial beach may bring tourists to the area none of the locals would use it. “Cairns does not have a soul”. The 130000 cubic meters of sand that is being used comes fr...