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Coordinates: 17°27′05″S 146°04′02″E / 17.45139°S 146.06722°E / -17.45139; 146.06722
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{{Unreferenced|date=March 2007}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2019}}{{Infobox body of water
| name = Ella Bay
| image = Ella Bay from Heath's point.jpg
| caption = Southern end of Ella Bay, looking north from Heath's point
| image_map =
| image_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
| location = [[Far North Queensland]]
|pushpin_map=Queensland
| coords = {{coord|17|27|05|S|146|04|02|E|source:enwiki-plaintext-parser|display=title,inline}} <ref>{{cite web|publisher=Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines|title=Queensland place names search - Ella Bay|url=https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/qld/environment/land/place-names/search#/search=ella%20bay&types=0&place=Ella_Bay11515|website=www.dnrm.qld.gov.au|accessdate=24 November 2017|language=en-AU}}</ref>
| rivers =
| oceans = [[Coral Sea]]
| countries = Australia
| length = {{convert|9|km|abbr=on}}
| width =
| area =
| depth =
| max-depth =
| volume =
| salinity =
| shore =
| frozen =
| islands =
| cities =
| reference =
}}
'''Ella Bay''' is a bay located in the [[Cassowary Coast Region]] in [[Far North Queensland]], Australia.<ref>{{Cite QPN|11515|Ella Bay|bay in Cassowary Coast Region|accessdate=25 November 2017}}</ref> It is in close proximity to the town of [[Innisfail, Queensland|Innisfail]]. Innisfail is situated {{convert|88|km|mi}} south of Cairns and {{convert|260|km|mi}} north of Townsville. The bay is bounded by Cooper's point in the north and Heath's point in the south.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ella Bay - Beach in Wanjuru Cassowary Coast QLD|url=https://beachsafe.org.au/beach/qld/cassowary-coast/wanjuru/ella-bay|website=SLS Beachsafe|accessdate=24 November 2017|language=en}}</ref> The land area adjacent to Ella Bay is named [[Wanjuru, Queensland|Wanjuru]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines|title=Queensland place names search - Wanjuru|url=https://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/qld/environment/land/place-names/search#/search=Wanjuru&types=0&place=Wanjuru45767|website=www.dnrm.qld.gov.au|accessdate=24 November 2017|language=en-AU}}</ref>


⚫
At the landscape scale, the mountain ranges encircling Ella Bay itself lie mostly within the [[Wet Tropics of Queensland|Wet Tropics World Heritage Area]], recognised for its natural heritage. Parts of Ella Bay are protected within the [[Ella Bay National Park]]. The ocean directly offshore at Ella Bay lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which is also the [[Great Barrier Reef]] World Heritage Area. There are two blocks of private land at the southern end of Ella Bay, a predominantly cleared 470&nbsp;hectare block and a {{convert|65|acre}} rainforest block named Little Cove by property developer Satori Ella Bay.
'''Ella Bay''' is located in the Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) shire in [[Queensland]], [[Australia]]. It is within close proximity to the town of Innisfail. Innisfail (population CCRC 18,000, town of 8,000) is positioned in the heart of the [[Cassowary Coast]] and is situated 88&nbsp;km south of Cairns and 260&nbsp;km north of Townsville. Both these cities offer direct air access to overseas markets.

⚫
At the landscape scale, the mountain ranges encircling Ella Bay itself lie mostly within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (the Wet Tropics of north east Queensland), a globally recognised place for its natural environment. Parts of Ella Bay are protected within the Ella Bay National Park. The ocean directly offshore at Ella Bay lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which is also the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. There are two blocks of private land at the southern end of Ella Bay.

The Ella Bay area is home to a large and stunning variety of plant and animal life including iconic species like the endangered southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii), endangered and vulnerable frog species (Australian Lacelid, Common Mist Frog, Waterfall Frog), remnant native plants and estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles. It has been known for marine turtles to use the northern section of the beach off Ella Bay National Park as a nesting beach; including endangered species such as Green and Flatback turtles. The waters off Ella Bay are visited by migratory species of dolphins (including Irrawaddy and snub-nosed dolphin species) and whales. It was thought the dugong frequented the area, but is found to rarely travel further north than Port Hinchingbrook where its primary food source of seagrass grows.

⚫
The average annual rainfall at Innisfail is over 3500mm or 3.5m (Bureau of Meteorology, Australia), and the average number of rainy days per year is 150 days.


⚫
The average annual rainfall at Innisfail is over {{convert|3,500|mm}} or {{convert|3.5|m}} according to the [[Bureau of Meteorology (Australia)|Bureau of Meteorology]], and the average number of rainy days per year is 150 days.


== History ==
== History ==
⚫
The Ella Bay area was originally inhabited by the [[Bagirbarra]] clan, the recognised [[traditional owners]] of the Ella Bay land and one of the Mamu speaking clan groups of the Innisfail region.<ref>Pentecost, P.M. (2007) Report on a cultural heritage assessment on Lot 30 on Crown Plan N157629, North Queensland. Unpublished report to The Mamu People and Ella Bay Developments, Brisbane.</ref> The richness and diversity of the Wet Tropics lowland rainforest environment, would have allowed for a population density of approximately two km2 per person and a 'band' of approximately 50 individuals.

⚫
The Ella Bay area was originally inhabited by the Bagirbarra clan, the recognised Traditional Owners of the Ella Bay land and one of the Mamu speaking clan groups of the Innisfail region (PENTECOST 2007)<ref>PENTECOST, P.M. (2007) Report on a cultural heritage assessment on Lot 30 on Crown Plan N157629, North Queensland. Unpublished report to The Mamu People and Ella Bay Developments Pty Ltd, Brisbane.</ref>. The richness and diversity of the Wet Tropics lowland rainforest environment, would have allowed for a population density of approximately 2 km2 per person and a ‘band’ of approximately 50 individuals.


Ella Bay lies within the traditional country of the Mamu peoples, an Australian Aboriginal tribe with a number of distinctive clan groups. These clan groups have cultural and spiritual ties to coastal lowlands, coastal lands and waters within what is now known as the northern part of the Cassowary Coast region of north eastern Queensland, Australia. Before colonisation, Mamu people moved seasonally within their traditional country, accessing and using important food sources including seafoods, freshwater fish, game animals, rainforest fruits and roots. Certain plant species used by rainforest Aboriginal tribes in this area on a regular basis are highly toxic, and careful preparation using time honoured methods were employed to make these food sources safe for eating. During particular seasons, these toxic foods would form a staple of the tribes' diets. In some locations, early European visitors (for example the anthropologist Roth) recorded seeing communal settlements with multiple shelters including long-house type structures, and there is evidence that a taro-type species of yam was cultivated for regular harvest along creeks and rivers. Like so many Aboriginal people in Australia, many Mamu traditional owners were forcibly removed from their traditional lands to other places in Queensland including Cherbourg, Woorabinda, Yarrabah and Palm Island mission settlements. Some have come back to live in the area since the mid-20th century.
Ella Bay lies within the traditional country of the Mamu peoples, an Australian Aboriginal tribe with a number of distinctive clan groups. These clan groups have cultural and spiritual ties to coastal lowlands, coastal lands and waters within what is now known as the northern part of the Cassowary Coast region of north eastern Queensland, Australia. Before colonisation, Mamu people moved seasonally within their traditional country, accessing and using important food sources including seafoods, freshwater fish, game animals, rainforest fruits and roots. Certain plant species used by rainforest Aboriginal tribes in this area on a regular basis are highly toxic, and careful preparation using time honoured methods were employed to make these food sources safe for eating. During particular seasons, these toxic foods would form a staple of the tribes' diets. In some locations, early European visitors (for example the anthropologist Roth) recorded seeing communal settlements with multiple shelters including long-house type structures, and there is evidence that a taro-type species of yam was cultivated for regular harvest along creeks and rivers. Like so many Aboriginal people in Australia, many Mamu traditional owners were forcibly removed from their traditional lands to other places in Queensland including Cherbourg, Woorabinda, Yarrabah and Palm Island mission settlements. Some have come back to live in the area since the mid-20th century.


First contact with Europeans came with a handful of survivors from the wreck of the brig Maria. On the 26th of February 1872, after astounding escapes from reef and rocks, the brig ran on to what is still known as the Maria reef, some miles off Cardwell. All the men who got ashore via raft north of the Johnstone River owed their lives to the local aboriginals, who treated them kindly, fed and made camps for them, and signalled to the rescue boat of the Basilisk to come ashore.<ref>[http://www.chapelhill.homeip.net/FamilyHistory/Other/QueenslandHistory/WreckoftheGothenburg.htm%20 THE WORLD’S NEWS SATURDAY OCTOBER 13, 1923. A BARRIER REEF TRAGEDY WRECK OF THE MARIA]</ref><ref>Maiden, P. (2000) Shipwreck of the New Guinea Gold Explorers: The Wreck of the Brig 'Maria' off Hinchinbrook Island in 1872. Rockhampton, Qld. : Central Queensland University Press,</ref>
First contact with Europeans came with a handful of survivors from the wreck of the brig Maria. On the 26th of February 1872, after astounding escapes from reef and rocks, the brig ran onto what is still known as the Maria reef, some miles off Cardwell. All the men who got ashore via raft north of the Johnstone River owed their lives to the local aboriginals, who treated them kindly, fed and made camps for them, and signaled the rescue boat Basilisk to come ashore.<ref>[http://www.chapelhill.homeip.net/FamilyHistory/Other/QueenslandHistory/WreckoftheGothenburg.htm%20 The World'S News Saturday October 13, 1923. A Barrier Reef Tragedy Wreck Of The Maria]</ref><ref>Maiden, P. (2000) Shipwreck of the New Guinea Gold Explorers: The Wreck of the Brig 'Maria' off Hinchinbrook Island in 1872. Rockhampton, Qld. : Central Queensland University Press.</ref>


The first settlers were the “cedar getters” in 1880 during the influx of timber cutters after the local red cedar species (''Toona ciliata''), quickly followed by becoming a key growing area for bananas and sugar cane. The later industries persist into the present day.
The first settlers were the "cedar getters" in 1880 during the influx of timber cutters after the local red cedar species (''Toona ciliata''), quickly followed by becoming a key growing area for bananas and sugar cane. The later industries persist into the present day.


⚫
The latest Cyclone to hit the Innisfail region was [[Cyclone Yasi]] – making landfall as a category 5 on the 3 February 2011.<ref>[http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/yasi.shtml Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi]. Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved on 12 January 2013.</ref> Yasi was one of the most powerful cyclones to have impacted Queensland since records commenced.
⚫
== Ella Bay Development ==
⚫
[[Cyclone Larry]] (Category 4 before striking land) on the 20 March 2006. Major damage to homes and other buildings was caused by Larry as well as extensive damage to local crops (tropical fruits, sugar and bananas) and timber plantations.


==Flora and fauna==
⚫
The Ella Bay property comprises of 470 hectares of freehold land that is isolated within the [[Ella Bay National Park]] and [[Wet Tropics of Queensland]]. The Ella Bay site was first surveyed in 1882 and large areas of the site were later cleared for banana production and small crop farming. There are numerous newspaper reports from the early 1900’s of Ella Bay being one the major banana growing areas in Queensland. <ref>Brisbane Courier 1903</ref><ref>Sydney Morning Herald 1906</ref><ref>Rockhampton Morning Bulletin 1903</ref> The newspaper articles report that the land was leased to Chinese farmers and there were over 100 men working the site, that 500 acres had been cleared for bananas and there was a 340ft long jetty built in 1902 to load steamers with bananas to Brisbane. There was a note of Ella Bay Road (tender for bridge, Cairns Post 1917).
{{external media
| video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt9ZpRLIXQU Indo-pacific humpback dolphin]
| video2 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWKBBScQTIo Endangered southern cassowary]
}}
The Ella Bay area is home to a large variety of plant and animal life including iconic species like the endangered [[southern cassowary]] (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii), endangered and vulnerable frog species including the [[Australian lace-lid]], [[common mist frog]] and [[waterfall frog]], remnant native plants and [[estuarine crocodile]]s. Ella Bay is regularly used by [[green sea turtle]]s as a nesting site. Other threatened marine turtles may nest in this area though this has yet to be confirmed. The waters off Ella Bay are important shallow water habitat for coastal dolphin species including the endemic [[snub fin dolphin]] and the Indo-pacific [[humpback dolphin]]. Whales have been observed at Ella Bay including migrating [[humpback whales]]. [[Dugong]] have been observed at Ella Bay though the poor condition of seagrass beds in the area currently make this area less than optimal Dugong habitat.


⚫
== Ella Bay development ==
⚫
In recent history, most of the Ella Bay site was shown as cleared in Army Mapping <ref>Accessed via Department of Environment and Resource Management: Museum of Lands, Mapping and Surveying. September 2009</ref> dated 1943 and the small amount of remaining areas were cleared and levelled in the mid 1960’s. Since that time the site has been used mainly for pastoral purposes. Introduced tropical pasture grass (Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria humidicola) covers almost all of the cleared area.
⚫
The Ella Bay property comprises 470&nbsp;hectares of freehold land used as a [[cattle station]]<ref name="1bra"/> that is isolated within the [[Ella Bay National Park]] and [[Wet Tropics of Queensland]] and a {{convert|160|acre}} rainforest block named Little Cove. The Ella Bay site was first surveyed in 1882 and large areas of the site were later cleared for banana production and small crop farming. There are numerous newspaper reports from the early 1900s of Ella Bay being one of the major banana growing areas in Queensland.<ref>Brisbane Courier. 1903</ref><ref>Sydney Morning Herald. 1906</ref><ref>Rockhampton Morning Bulletin 1903</ref> The newspaper articles report that the land was leased to Chinese farmers and there were over 100 men working the site, that {{convert|500|acre}}s had been cleared for bananas and there was a {{convert|340|ft}} long jetty built in 1902 to load steamers with bananas to Brisbane. There was a note of Ella Bay Road (tender for bridge, Cairns Post 1917). In 1906, this settlement of over 100 Chinese farmers was abandoned after a severe tropical cyclone destroyed their homes and crops. After selling any rescued fruit the Chinese farmers totally abandoned Ella Bay and the area was never resettled.


⚫
In recent history, most of the Ella Bay site was shown as cleared in Army Mapping<ref>Accessed via Department of Environment and Resource Management: Museum of Lands, Mapping and Surveying. September 2009</ref> dated 1943 and the small amount of remaining areas were cleared and levelled in the mid 1960s. Since that time the site has been used mainly for pastoral purposes. Introduced tropical pasture grass (Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria humidicola) covers almost all of the cleared area.
The site is predominantly cleared, and has been cleared since early 1900’s; the land is degraded to an extent that the property was not considered of sufficient value to be included in the World Heritage Area nomination. Additionally, introduced weed infestation (Pond apple, Hymenachne, Sicklepod etc) have further degraded much of these pasture areas and the margins of remnant vegetated areas.
⚫
This land is situated in the southern section of Ella Bay as the northern area was too wet for agriculture. The northern wetland known as Ella Bay Swamp is classified as a wetland of national significance and is primarily located within Ella Bay National Park [http://www.environment.gov.au/arcgis-framework/apps/pmst/pmst.jsf DSEWPaC’s Protected Matters Search Tool]


The 470&nbsp;hectare site is mostly cleared.<ref name="1bra">{{Cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/bn-resort-approved-at-ella-bay-north-queensland/story-e6frgczx-1226520401712 |title=$1.4 billion resort approved at Ella Bay, north Queensland |author=Rosanne Barrett |accessdate=23 January 2013 |date=20 November 2012 |newspaper=The Australian |publisher=News Limited }}</ref> Introduced weed infestation (Pond apple, Hymenachne, Sicklepod etc.) have further degraded much of these pasture areas and the margins of remnant vegetated areas and this situation has been brought about by a failure of successive property owners to control these invasive weed species in a timely and efficient manner. The 160 acre Little Cove property is covered almost entirely with endangered and of concern rainforest vegetation. Under Commonwealth EPBCA legislation Littoral rainforest is listed as Critically Endangered.
It is proposed to construct the [http://www.ellabay.com.au/master.html Ella Bay Integrated Resort]; an integrated resort and residential development focussing on sustainability, and environmental stewardship. The ecological goal of the development is to:
⚫
This land is situated in the southern section of Ella Bay as the northern area was too wet for agriculture. The northern wetland known as Ella Bay Swamp is classified as a wetland of national significance and is primarily located within Ella Bay National Park.
* Live sustainably with the minimum carbon footprint, rain harvesting and recycling of water and minimising pollution, through the general philosophy of ecological living and principles of sustainable development; and
* Protect and enhance the fauna and flora of the site and surrounds through responsible use and protection of the natural environment, through conservation and sustainable practices.


It is proposed to construct the Ella Bay Integrated Resort; an integrated resort and property development focusing on sustainability, and environmental stewardship. The stated ecological goal of the development is to first, live sustainably with the minimum [[carbon footprint]], [[rainwater harvesting]] and recycling of water and minimising pollution, through the general philosophy of ecological living and principles of sustainable development; and second to protect and enhance the fauna and flora of the site and surrounds through responsible use and protection of the natural environment, through conservation and sustainable practices.
== Cyclonic Activity ==


The project was approved by the Federal Government on 19 December 2012 with 19 conditions designed to reduce environmental impacts.<ref name="ebirda">{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/burke/2012/mr20121219b.html |title=Ella Bay Integrated Resort Development approved |author=Tony Burke |date=19 December 2012 |work=Media Release |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |accessdate=23 January 2013 }}</ref> The road to the resort will have to be fenced and have crossing to protect cassowaries.<ref name="1bra"/> 50 hectares of habitat re-vegetation is to occur onsite.<ref name="ebirda"/>
⚫
* The latest Cyclone to hit the Innisfail region was [http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/history/yasi.shtml Yasi] – making landfall as a category 5 on the 3rd February 2011. Yasi is one of the most powerful cyclones to have affected Queensland since records commenced.
⚫
* Cyclone Larry (Category 4 before striking land) on the 20th March, 2006. Major damage to homes and other buildings was caused by Larry as well as extensive damage to local crops (tropical fruits, sugar and bananas) and timber plantations.
* Aivu in 1989 - category 3 impact near Ayr (south of Townsville)
* Winifred in 1986 - category 3 impact near Innisfail
* Althea in 1971 - category 4 impact just north of Townsville
* Ada in 1970 - category 4 impact over the Whitsunday Islands
* Innisfail cyclone in 1918 (not named) - category 5 impact
* Mackay cyclone in 1918 (not named) - category 5 impact

⚫
==References==
{{reflist}}


===Opposition===
Local conservationists strongly oppose this urban development/resort complex for many reasons. The influx of up to 5,000 people into this wilderness area is feared to have the potential to cause great harm to this refuge area. Associated traffic into this area will threaten the safety of endangered southern cassowaries and endangered frog species. Critically endangered coastal rainforest will be destroyed to provide access to the property development and to clear sites for 100 residences at the Little Cove development site. Conservationist Russell Constable from the Cassowary Coast Alliance is concerned that coastal dolphin species, which are already threatened, will be adversely impacted by increased boat and jet ski activity from the areas new residents,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2012/s3637587.htm |title=Controversial resorts dubbed Qld's biggest tourism development |author=Annie Guest |accessdate=23 January 2013 |date=21 November 2012 |work=The World Today |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation }}</ref> as will nesting marine turtles. Conservationists also claim it is unwise to place so many people in area that is so susceptible to the impacts of tropical cyclones and has a history of such disasters.


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|Queensland}}
*[[Ella Bay National Park]]
*[[Ella Bay National Park]]
⚫
*[http://www.ellabay.com.au/index.html Ella Bay Integrated Resort Development]
⚫
*[http://ellabayforever.blogspot.com/ Ella Bay Forever] a blog about the flora and fauna of Ella Bay and Bramston Beach. The blog also highlights conservation issues within the region.


⚫
==References==
{{coord|17|23|44|S|146|03|24|E|source:enwiki-plaintext-parser|display=title}}
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
⚫
*[http://ellabayforever.blogspot.com/ Ella Bay Forever] a blog about the flora and fauna of Ella Bay and Bramston Beach. The blog also highlights conservation issues within the region.
⚫
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120222013024/http://www.ellabay.com.au/index.html Ella Bay Integrated Resort Development]
*[http://www.cassowarycoastalliance.com/ella-bay.html Cassowary Coast Alliance] recent news regarding Ella Bay
*[http://cafnec.org.au/category/coastaldevelopment/ella-bay/ CAFNEC Ella Bay archive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208035314/http://cafnec.org.au/category/coastaldevelopment/ella-bay/ |date=8 December 2012 }}
*[http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2009/03/06/2509516.htm Ella Bay Turtle nesting story on ABC]


[[Category:Geography of Queensland]]
[[Category:Bays of Queensland]]
[[Category:Bays of Queensland]]
[[Category:Innisfail, Queensland]]
[[Category:Innisfail, Queensland]]

Latest revision as of 12:36, 11 September 2024

Ella Bay
Southern end of Ella Bay, looking north from Heath's point
Ella Bay is located in Queensland
Ella Bay
Ella Bay
LocationFar North Queensland
Coordinates17°27′05″S 146°04′02″E / 17.45139°S 146.06722°E / -17.45139; 146.06722 [1]
Ocean/sea sourcesCoral Sea
Basin countriesAustralia
Max. length9 km (5.6 mi)

Ella Bay is a bay located in the Cassowary Coast Region in Far North Queensland, Australia.[2] It is in close proximity to the town of Innisfail. Innisfail is situated 88 kilometres (55 mi) south of Cairns and 260 kilometres (160 mi) north of Townsville. The bay is bounded by Cooper's point in the north and Heath's point in the south.[3] The land area adjacent to Ella Bay is named Wanjuru.[4]

At the landscape scale, the mountain ranges encircling Ella Bay itself lie mostly within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, recognised for its natural heritage. Parts of Ella Bay are protected within the Ella Bay National Park. The ocean directly offshore at Ella Bay lies within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which is also the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. There are two blocks of private land at the southern end of Ella Bay, a predominantly cleared 470 hectare block and a 65 acres (26 ha) rainforest block named Little Cove by property developer Satori Ella Bay.

The average annual rainfall at Innisfail is over 3,500 millimetres (140 in) or 3.5 metres (11 ft) according to the Bureau of Meteorology, and the average number of rainy days per year is 150 days.

History

[edit]

The Ella Bay area was originally inhabited by the Bagirbarra clan, the recognised traditional owners of the Ella Bay land and one of the Mamu speaking clan groups of the Innisfail region.[5] The richness and diversity of the Wet Tropics lowland rainforest environment, would have allowed for a population density of approximately two km2 per person and a 'band' of approximately 50 individuals.

Ella Bay lies within the traditional country of the Mamu peoples, an Australian Aboriginal tribe with a number of distinctive clan groups. These clan groups have cultural and spiritual ties to coastal lowlands, coastal lands and waters within what is now known as the northern part of the Cassowary Coast region of north eastern Queensland, Australia. Before colonisation, Mamu people moved seasonally within their traditional country, accessing and using important food sources including seafoods, freshwater fish, game animals, rainforest fruits and roots. Certain plant species used by rainforest Aboriginal tribes in this area on a regular basis are highly toxic, and careful preparation using time honoured methods were employed to make these food sources safe for eating. During particular seasons, these toxic foods would form a staple of the tribes' diets. In some locations, early European visitors (for example the anthropologist Roth) recorded seeing communal settlements with multiple shelters including long-house type structures, and there is evidence that a taro-type species of yam was cultivated for regular harvest along creeks and rivers. Like so many Aboriginal people in Australia, many Mamu traditional owners were forcibly removed from their traditional lands to other places in Queensland including Cherbourg, Woorabinda, Yarrabah and Palm Island mission settlements. Some have come back to live in the area since the mid-20th century.

First contact with Europeans came with a handful of survivors from the wreck of the brig Maria. On the 26th of February 1872, after astounding escapes from reef and rocks, the brig ran onto what is still known as the Maria reef, some miles off Cardwell. All the men who got ashore via raft north of the Johnstone River owed their lives to the local aboriginals, who treated them kindly, fed and made camps for them, and signaled the rescue boat Basilisk to come ashore.[6][7]

The first settlers were the "cedar getters" in 1880 during the influx of timber cutters after the local red cedar species (Toona ciliata), quickly followed by becoming a key growing area for bananas and sugar cane. The later industries persist into the present day.

The latest Cyclone to hit the Innisfail region was Cyclone Yasi – making landfall as a category 5 on the 3 February 2011.[8] Yasi was one of the most powerful cyclones to have impacted Queensland since records commenced. Cyclone Larry (Category 4 before striking land) on the 20 March 2006. Major damage to homes and other buildings was caused by Larry as well as extensive damage to local crops (tropical fruits, sugar and bananas) and timber plantations.

Flora and fauna

[edit]
External videos
video icon Indo-pacific humpback dolphin
video icon Endangered southern cassowary

The Ella Bay area is home to a large variety of plant and animal life including iconic species like the endangered southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii), endangered and vulnerable frog species including the Australian lace-lid, common mist frog and waterfall frog, remnant native plants and estuarine crocodiles. Ella Bay is regularly used by green sea turtles as a nesting site. Other threatened marine turtles may nest in this area though this has yet to be confirmed. The waters off Ella Bay are important shallow water habitat for coastal dolphin species including the endemic snub fin dolphin and the Indo-pacific humpback dolphin. Whales have been observed at Ella Bay including migrating humpback whales. Dugong have been observed at Ella Bay though the poor condition of seagrass beds in the area currently make this area less than optimal Dugong habitat.

Ella Bay development

[edit]

The Ella Bay property comprises 470 hectares of freehold land used as a cattle station[9] that is isolated within the Ella Bay National Park and Wet Tropics of Queensland and a 160 acres (65 ha) rainforest block named Little Cove. The Ella Bay site was first surveyed in 1882 and large areas of the site were later cleared for banana production and small crop farming. There are numerous newspaper reports from the early 1900s of Ella Bay being one of the major banana growing areas in Queensland.[10][11][12] The newspaper articles report that the land was leased to Chinese farmers and there were over 100 men working the site, that 500 acres (200 ha)s had been cleared for bananas and there was a 340 feet (100 m) long jetty built in 1902 to load steamers with bananas to Brisbane. There was a note of Ella Bay Road (tender for bridge, Cairns Post 1917). In 1906, this settlement of over 100 Chinese farmers was abandoned after a severe tropical cyclone destroyed their homes and crops. After selling any rescued fruit the Chinese farmers totally abandoned Ella Bay and the area was never resettled.

In recent history, most of the Ella Bay site was shown as cleared in Army Mapping[13] dated 1943 and the small amount of remaining areas were cleared and levelled in the mid 1960s. Since that time the site has been used mainly for pastoral purposes. Introduced tropical pasture grass (Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria humidicola) covers almost all of the cleared area.

The 470 hectare site is mostly cleared.[9] Introduced weed infestation (Pond apple, Hymenachne, Sicklepod etc.) have further degraded much of these pasture areas and the margins of remnant vegetated areas and this situation has been brought about by a failure of successive property owners to control these invasive weed species in a timely and efficient manner. The 160 acre Little Cove property is covered almost entirely with endangered and of concern rainforest vegetation. Under Commonwealth EPBCA legislation Littoral rainforest is listed as Critically Endangered. This land is situated in the southern section of Ella Bay as the northern area was too wet for agriculture. The northern wetland known as Ella Bay Swamp is classified as a wetland of national significance and is primarily located within Ella Bay National Park.

It is proposed to construct the Ella Bay Integrated Resort; an integrated resort and property development focusing on sustainability, and environmental stewardship. The stated ecological goal of the development is to first, live sustainably with the minimum carbon footprint, rainwater harvesting and recycling of water and minimising pollution, through the general philosophy of ecological living and principles of sustainable development; and second to protect and enhance the fauna and flora of the site and surrounds through responsible use and protection of the natural environment, through conservation and sustainable practices.

The project was approved by the Federal Government on 19 December 2012 with 19 conditions designed to reduce environmental impacts.[14] The road to the resort will have to be fenced and have crossing to protect cassowaries.[9] 50 hectares of habitat re-vegetation is to occur onsite.[14]

Opposition

[edit]

Local conservationists strongly oppose this urban development/resort complex for many reasons. The influx of up to 5,000 people into this wilderness area is feared to have the potential to cause great harm to this refuge area. Associated traffic into this area will threaten the safety of endangered southern cassowaries and endangered frog species. Critically endangered coastal rainforest will be destroyed to provide access to the property development and to clear sites for 100 residences at the Little Cove development site. Conservationist Russell Constable from the Cassowary Coast Alliance is concerned that coastal dolphin species, which are already threatened, will be adversely impacted by increased boat and jet ski activity from the areas new residents,[15] as will nesting marine turtles. Conservationists also claim it is unwise to place so many people in area that is so susceptible to the impacts of tropical cyclones and has a history of such disasters.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Queensland place names search - Ella Bay". www.dnrm.qld.gov.au. Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Ella Bay – bay in Cassowary Coast Region (entry 11515)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Ella Bay - Beach in Wanjuru Cassowary Coast QLD". SLS Beachsafe. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  4. ^ "Queensland place names search - Wanjuru". www.dnrm.qld.gov.au. Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  5. ^ Pentecost, P.M. (2007) Report on a cultural heritage assessment on Lot 30 on Crown Plan N157629, North Queensland. Unpublished report to The Mamu People and Ella Bay Developments, Brisbane.
  6. ^ The World'S News Saturday October 13, 1923. A Barrier Reef Tragedy Wreck Of The Maria
  7. ^ Maiden, P. (2000) Shipwreck of the New Guinea Gold Explorers: The Wreck of the Brig 'Maria' off Hinchinbrook Island in 1872. Rockhampton, Qld. : Central Queensland University Press.
  8. ^ Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi. Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved on 12 January 2013.
  9. ^ a b c Rosanne Barrett (20 November 2012). "$1.4 billion resort approved at Ella Bay, north Queensland". The Australian. News Limited. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  10. ^ Brisbane Courier. 1903
  11. ^ Sydney Morning Herald. 1906
  12. ^ Rockhampton Morning Bulletin 1903
  13. ^ Accessed via Department of Environment and Resource Management: Museum of Lands, Mapping and Surveying. September 2009
  14. ^ a b Tony Burke (19 December 2012). "Ella Bay Integrated Resort Development approved". Media Release. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  15. ^ Annie Guest (21 November 2012). "Controversial resorts dubbed Qld's biggest tourism development". The World Today. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
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