THE discovery of an endangered bird species roosting on a massive sandbank is likely to impact on future development of both the Broadwater and The Spit.
Ashmore bird enthusiast Bob Westerman has photographed a pair of beach stone-curlews at an area he calls The Unnamed Island, south of Wavebreak Island.
"It's an absolute find. In NSW there are only about 10 pairs of them," Mr Westerman told the Bulletin.
"I couldn't believe it. They turn up in the strangest places.
"This is a particularly good roost. You don't have dogs unless people allow them there. It's mainly free of predators. The birds seem to like it."
The Spit is again being targeted for future development, with the State Government briefed on plans for a casino on a site south of Sea World and new Mayor Tom Tate having floated a plan for a $30 million cruise ship terminal on the southern Seaway wall.
But photographic evidence showing thousands of migratory birds on Broadwater sandbanks is likely to restrict future dredging along with any moves to destroy bushland.
"If they start working in that area and it proves to be a significant area, they have to get Federal Government approval," Mr Westerman said.
"I thought I'd just show everyone what is there. If they (council and government) stuff it up, that's their business."
The beach stone-curlew is a large thick-set wader, listed as vulnerable under Queensland's Nature Conservation Act, and regarded as a "high priority" under the Department of Environment and Resource Management's Back on Track project which develops special management plans for "at-risk" species.
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