The crawling pace of North Stradbroke Island’s $20 million transition from sand mining to tourism has thousands of residents concerned as the mining deadline looms.

There are just 15 months before mining on the island must finish but few of the 23 projects identified to lead the island’s growth after sand mining are completed.

Now island residents are worried about yet-to-be-seen plans for a whale-watching platform at Point Lookout.

Point Lookout on North Stradbroke Island where residents are concerned at yet-to-be defined plans for a whale -watching platform.

By Friday, almost 8000 people had signed a petition asking that crown land at Point Lookout be protected and calling for more information about the plans.