Barra Bonanza organisers eager for channel works after 15 years of silt
Hundreds of anglers have taken part in the 20th annual Barra Bonanza at Cardwell, a two-day catch-and-release event that drew record numbers this year. Boats must launch from Port Hinchinbrook before the tide makes the channel inaccessible, after silt and mud have limited access since Cyclone Yasi in 2011. The state government has allocated $64 million to restore the port, including dredging, and early works are complete. Local fishing club figures say the project would revive the town's economy, while environmentalist John Mewing has warned dredging could harm waterways and marine life near a World Heritage Area.