Updated November 14, 2015 10:39:24 
Photo: The Tangalooma Wrecks as they look today at high tide following public safety works which saw them cut to just above the water line. (ABC News: Courtney Wilson) Map: Tangalooma 4025
An iconic Queensland tourist attraction has had a makeover, but not everyone is happy with the new look for the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.
As part of works to stabilise the structures, authorities dramatically cut down the sunken vessels to just above the waterline, changing its iconic skyline silhouette.
The 15 vessels were sunk in 1963 in a bid to provide safe anchorage to boaties on the western side of the island.
Moreton Island's Castaways Store and Cafe manager Nathan Driver said the wrecks were a massive drawcard.
"It's what people think of I guess, you think of Moreton Island, you think of Tangalooma wrecks," he said.
"The two big dredges that were sticking up above the waterline here ... they were probably the iconic photo, with the sun setting behind them with the rays coming through the buckets, they're no longer there."
Maritime Safety Queensland conducted the stabilisation works, which were completed late last week.
It involved cutting down the sunken vessels, removing the decking, and toppling some of the deteriorating structures.
Maritime Safety Queensland's Patrick Quirk said the wrecks themselves were in an unstable and unsafe condition.
"Some of them have been there for over 50 years and they are in a severe state of deterioration," he said.
"People should not attempt to walk, or swim or dive near the wrecks."
Photo: A look at the Tangalooma Wrecks, prior to the public safety works carried out earlier this month. (Audience submitted: Warren Patterson) Locals 'disappointed' over minimal community consultation
Locals and tourism operators have expressed disappointment there was minimal community consultation, or prior notice about the nature of the works to be carried out.
Photo: Local Warren Patterson said he was disappointed to see the Tangalooma Wrecks cut down. (ABC News: Courtney Wilson)
Warren Patterson, who moved to Moreton Island in 2003 after holidaying there for more than two decades, said the change left him disappointed.
"But I mean life goes on, nothing lasts forever, it was deemed to be a safety hazard apparently," he said.
Manly boatie Libby Peterson, who regularly moors at Tangalooma, said the structure "looks ugly now".
"It doesn't look attractive at all," she said.
"I understand why they had to do it, but I still think it's very sad that it's happened.
"It would be lovely to think that they could replace some form of structure there to keep it the way it was, as far as shelter for boats."
Topics:travel-and-tourism,lifestyle-and-leisure,travel-health-and-safety,tangalooma-4025
First posted November 13, 2015 20:28:13
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-13/tangoola-wreck-cut-down-in-public-safety-works/6939966?source=rss
