Cyclone Koji's Wreckage: Coastal Cleanup Crisis

0:00It's April 6th. Welcome to Sydney News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story. Months after Cyclone Koji tore through North Queensland, wrecked boats are still cluttering the coast from Bowen to the Whitsundays. Maritime safety Queensland has handled hundreds of these over the past 12 months, with 25 vessels wrecked or damaged in that stretch, alone. One standout is the 7 wonder, smashed on rocks at Rose Bay on January 11th and still sitting there more than two months later. Owners are legally on the hook for cleanup, but when they miss deadlines like February 13th for the 7 wonder, MSQ steps in. They put it out to tender, but contractors have slammed, weather's been rough, and hauling gear to remote spots, jacks of the hassle. Costs run from $20,000 for a small boat to over $600,000, when pollutants need special handling. Spending hours daily scooping diesel drums, chemicals and plywood from beaches.

1:00Folks like Stewart Fisher and Rose Bay, and teens from Ecobarge, clean seas, have hauled out 11 tons of waste to stop it from washing out to sea. They want faster action to curb pollution before the next tide. The environmental hit is real, especially at Canonville Beach, where sea grass meadows home to turtles and dogongs got scarred by dragging debris. Own Debbie wrecked these beds back in 2017, and now, Koji's mess is piling on. Experts say better prep by boat owners and tighter coordination could prevent this. MSQ has just three boats left to tackle in the region, prioritizing the biggest pollution threats. They're promising quick removal for the 7 wonder, and might chase owners for costs through court. With contractors stretch thin, patients from the public has kept things moving, but the push for cleaner coast rolls on.