Over 30 people enjoyed a fun and social afternoon stroll along Town Beach for our Beautiful Walk in May. Clear skies, warm weather and the low tide proved the perfect mix for the group to learn more about Mackay's iconic beach!

Joined by three guest speakers, the attendees were given a special insight into the natural value of the area. Patricia Julien spoke about the geographical history that has completely reshaped Town Beach. Cyclones, coastal processes and development have transformed the shoreline to something different over only a few decades.

Mackay & Districts Turtle Watch Association spokesperson, Fay Griffin, explained the significance of our region for sea turtles. While Town Beach isn't a major nesting site, Mackay's coastline is dotted with areas used frequently by nesting turtles. All species of sea turtles are considered to be endangered or vulnerable, making our local shores an incredibly important area in the conservation of these wonderful animals.

As Queensland prepares to build the largest coal ports in the world on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area, few protections are in place to prevent the destruction of fish, coral and iconic marine mammals.

Green and Flatback turtles nest along the beautiful Abbot Point Beach just east of the sand dunes containing the Juru burial grounds which themselves would adjoin the enormous coal stockpiles.

As the coal dust blows off the stockpiles and rain leaches toxic chemicals into the near shore marine waters, the turtles will ingest this pollution via consumption of the local sea grasses.