Residents want truth on harbour

OPINIONS differ when it comes to the Gladstone Harbour controversy but most people agree we need to get to the bottom of it.

The Gladstone Observer took to the streets to discover what the general consensus was on the harbour situation.

Ashley Clay and Tom Staney firmly believe it is dredging that has caused the fish to become sick and the water dirty.

Mr Clay's solution was to simply "stop dredging".

Mr Staney is no longer buying fish from the harbour and will only eat fish from the supermarket.

"I was born here and a lot of stuff has been dumped in the water over the years.

"It's the poisons in the mud it accumulates over the years, that's why all this has happened," Mr Staney said.

Wayne Knowles also believes it is the dredging, but no one will own up to it.

"They are stirring the heavy metals that have been there (in the mud) for years," Mr Knowles said.

"But you can't stop the future and the dredging won't stop," he said.

Bob Appo says he is "100% sure that it is the dredging."

Mr Appo has lived in Gladstone since 1976 and worked as a fisherman, he has been forced to move to Bundaberg because he can't make a living anymore.

"I've seen it all, this is bigger than the past dredging in the '80s," he said.

Sarah Grinnell has been listening to the rumours and she has heard people discussing the possibility that it is dredging.

But she feels "it's not going to stop".

Trent Long does not believe in all the "hype" surrounding the dredging rumours.

He feels that it is not the sole issue surrounding the problem.

"I'm not a scientist but they should figure it out," Mr Long said.

Eileen Day agrees that it is not just the dredging - but it has brought good to the community.

"We need to investigate all areas; scientific, facts and our personal beliefs. We have to admit that good has come to the community from these big companies being here. Ten years ago we didn't have these resources," Ms Day said.

Keith Buchanan says it's an industrial town and what happens, happens.

"I came here in 1966 and it has developed a lot, it's a bustling city now.

"It's a pity what's going on, but you can't stop process," Mr Buchanan said.

John Nielsen said everyone was willing to take the benefits but not the side effects.

"It will settle down eventually, people do want the jobs and economic stability - there has to be a balance," he said.

Clare Dennis and her husband are concerned - but still go fishing.

They went crabbing on the weekend and didn't have a problem.

They have seriously considered if it is safe or not before setting out.

Mrs Dennis felt she needed the facts "laid out for her".

"We need more information that's not propaganda. The facts - all laid out so we can make up our own mind," Mrs Dennis said.

Maree Maitland and her family bought a boat but don't want to take it out until they are told the full story.

"We are worried about taking the kids out, we want to do research first before going," she said.

"At the moment I'm just sitting back and watching the circus - I don't know who to believe."

Nina Park also believes that this issue needs to be sorted for everyone's sake.

"I'm not a fisherman but I hope we get to the bottom of it, there needs to be more research into it," Ms Park said.

Tony O'Connol is waiting for an official report to be released.

"Let's bring it to an end," Mr O'Connol said.

Lee Martin believes that if you take the time to talk to any resident who has been here over 50 years they would tell you it is because of the 2011 floods.

"It's not uncommon. People who lived here 50-plus years said it happened in the '70s - because of the flood," he said.

 

What the people think

That the dredging of the Gladstone Harbour is causing the unknown sickness in the sea inhabitants.

Pollutants in the mud, such as chemicals and poisons, are to blame.

Some feel it is not the dredging.

The 2011 January floods is the cause of the issue.