What’s happening?
The Reef Authority has released a tender to remove long-dilapidated buildings from Pine Islet in the Percy Isles, south-east of Mackay.
Access to the island has been restricted for years because asbestos-clad structures pose health and safety risks.
The clean-up is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust under the Reef Islands Rehabilitation Project.
Works will dismantle and remove the remaining infrastructure so the island can begin returning to a more natural state.
The project is being delivered in partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service through the Reef Joint Field Management Program.
Why it matters?
Pine Islet has faced decades of disturbance from past use, cyclones, fire and invasive weeds.
Reef Authority Commonwealth Island Program Manager Alicia Moisel said restoring the island is a key step forward.
“Pine Islet has been heavily impacted by past use, cyclones, fire and the spread of weeds,” Ms Moisel said.
“Removing these dilapidated structures is a critical step in improving the island’s natural values, reducing health and safety risks, and improving our ability to manage the island into the future.”
She said weed control will also help protect nearby islands.
“The island is very weedy and increases the risk of invasive grasses and weeds spreading to nearby islands,” she said.
“Once the site is made safe, we’ll assess longer-term weed and vegetation management options, subject to available resources.”
Local Impact
The Percy Isles are known for rocky headlands, hoop pine-covered slopes, sheltered bays and fringing reefs.
Improving Pine Islet’s condition supports the health of the surrounding national park islands and the wider Mackay region.
Reducing invasive weeds and removing hazardous buildings strengthens environmental management across this part of the reef.
By the numbers
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22 Commonwealth Islands are managed by the Reef Authority within the World Heritage Area, with Pine Islet among them.
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1885 was the year the original lightstation was built on Pine Islet by the colonial Queensland government.
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1927 saw the replacement of the original keepers’ cottages with three fibro-clad cottages and additional smaller structures, all clad with asbestos-containing material.
Zoom In
The remaining buildings are not heritage-listed, but they reflect an early period of maritime navigation in Queensland.
The original lighthouse was decommissioned in 1985 and later dismantled. It was rebuilt at Mackay Harbour in 1996 and moved to Mackay Marina in 2022.
A later solar-powered light replaced the original structure but was decommissioned in 2017, ending regular service visits.
Zoom Out
Island restoration is part of broader land management across the Great Barrier Reef.
Managing weeds and removing unsafe infrastructure reduces risks to neighbouring ecosystems and strengthens long-term conservation efforts.
What to look for next?
The tender process will determine contractors for dismantling and removal works.
After the site is made safe, the Reef Authority will review future weed and vegetation management options, subject to available resources.
