Help keep Fraser Open to 4WD's

[Adamy]

Sorry about this guys - but I originally posted this in News - then was asked to add it to 4WD - then someone else suggested it might get a better airing in General Chat - so to those who have seen it already - I apologise and if this goes against the rules or something - maybe the mods can move it?

But for those people who like Fraser (I have never been but want to go one day), this may be a very important issue. This petition is more likely to get action than many other petitions - because its a parliamentary petition - it's responses go directly and are actually managed by the local Member.

The following link is to a Parliamentary petition to keep Fraser Island (North of Hook Point) open to 4WDs. It has been generated by David Gibson MP. If you sign this petition, then David will take it to Parliament for debate. If you feel strongly about the issue - then forward the link on to anyone you know who has a 4WD or visits Fraser. So far there are 200 signatures (Thursday 10am) - we need many thousands if Fraser is to be kept open.

Be warned, they do ask you to verify yourself by providing name and address - Mickey Mouses and Donald Ducks wont go through.

Adam

Heres the link: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/EPetitions_QLD/CurrentEPetitions.aspx?LIndex=1


CURRENT E-PETITION

Subject:Keep the beach access around Hook Point open Eligibility:Queensland residents Sponsoring Member David Gibson MP Principal Petitioner:Lionel Powell PO Box 486 HERVEY BAY QLD 4655 Num of Signatures:200 Posting Date:05/03/2007 Closing Date:13/04/2007

Do you wish to sign this E-Petition? Yes

Email this link to a colleague

TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House this Labor Governments plan to close vehicular beach access to an 18km stretch of Fraser island, north of Hook Point.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to retain vehicular access of this stretch of Fraser island and recognise the iconic status of Fraser Island as a 4WD destination for tourists, recreational fishing, boating and camping.

[FNQCairns]

OK done
cheers fnq

[Cruiser93]

That Gets my vote ........Mal

[Outdoor Guy]

yep i'm done as well

[whynott]

over 1000 have signed now!!!!!!!!!

[Black_Rat]

There is an article in todays courier mail. The minister is to reserve her decision untill she visits the site before easter. Take her along the beach first and then back along that track, hopefully it'll shake some sense into her.

[seatime]

Lindy's talking about a 20km/h speed limit on that section of beach now, maybe the message is starting to get thru.

[Shane Boese]

Inroads controversy

Melissa Maugeri
March 23, 2007 11:00pm
Article from: </IMG>

FRASER Island was once a battle ground for anti-sandmining and anti-logging protesters.
Then plans to cull dingo populations garnered controversy.
But now it's the tourism operators and police who are angry at plans to change car access to the World-Heritage-listed island.
The plan, announced by Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr last month, would see the closure of 18km of beach road north from Hook Point and instead families would be encouraged to camp in the area.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the closure would also make it safer for migratory birds and baby chicks from nearby rookeries to wander the shore line.
However, the impending closure has drawn a chorus of complaints from people and businesses who make their living bringing tourists to the world's largest sand island.
They say the proposed alternate route is dangerous, despite reassurances from Queensland Parks and Wildlife that it would regularly grade the track. Tourism operators are also worried tourists will not be as keen to ride down the bumpy bush track as they would be for a journey along the beachfront.
A Queensland Police Union spokesman said officers were opposed to the beach road closure, because the alternate route was unsafe.
"The police service has made representation to the environment department about their safety concerns," he said.
"It sounds like there is consideration for the welfare of birds and not humans."
Figures provided by Ms Nelson-Carr's office show out of 107 accidents on the island between 2003 and 2007, four had been on the inland road.
But the beach road closure could see more than 30,000 vehicles a year using the track.
Ms Nelson-Carr said she would reserve her decision on the closure until she visited the site before Easter.
"My view is that there is still 130km left for four-wheel-drive vehicles so why not use that 18km stretch as a place for families to go who don't want to do the four-wheel-drive thing," Ms Nelson-Carr said.
She also said despite the rookeries being positioned away from the beach track, wildlife officers were worried about bird chicks dying.
"Drivers are hitting little chicks because they can't see them," she said.
"We haven't made a decision yet. We might make the whole beach a 20km zone."
Tour operator Wade Batty, whose
Suncoast Safaris ferries tourists from Noosa across to the island on four-wheel-drive trips, says the plan threatens his business and the safety of his customers.
His staff have already attended one accident from a roll-over.
"If they go ahead with the proposed closure of the beach they will have blood on their hands when the next incident involves a fatality," Mr Batty said.
Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism general manager Damien Massingham said the current option was best because it spread the traffic.