government patting themselves on the back

[CreelReaper]

Hey all,
Just found this little piece of progaganda from the Bligh stable.......................

http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/about_the_epa/public_reporting/epa_bulletin/moreton_bay_protected_for_the_future/


Moreton Bay protected for the future
Queensland’s world class waterway, Moreton Bay Marine Park, will soon see a massive expansion of protected area, Premier Anna Bligh has announced.
Under a new zoning plan, sixteen per cent of the Moreton Bay Marine Park - which stretches from Caloundra to the Gold Coast Seaway - will be protected by green zones, up from the current half a per cent. Ms Bligh said the new plan, backed by a $21 million investment, would come into force on March 1, 2009.

“This is a body of water unlike any other in Queensland - on the doorstep of 2.5 million people who love it and use it intensely,” Ms Bligh said.
“This is about getting the balance right – so current and future generations can enjoy all the bay has to offer without loving it to death.”

The new zoning plan is based on extensive scientific research, followed by months of consultation and negotiation with marine park users and interest groups. Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara said the higher level of protection was needed to ensure the future of the delicate ecosystem. Moreton Bay, a wetland of international significance, is home to 750 species of fish, 120 species of coral, an abundance of dolphins, migratory whales and dugong.

“The science told us that we had to protect a portion of every type of ecosystem in the marine park – from the corals to the mangroves to the shorelines.
“Every decision we have made has been shaped by feedback we’ve received from the local communities, businesses and individuals. There has been a lot of give and take to get a sensible balance.”
The final plan protects 16 per cent of Moreton Bay as green zones, an increase from the 15 per cent proposed in the draft plan released in December last year, after consultation with stakeholders.
The green zones are open to boats and activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and boaties can go anywhere.

Fishing will not be allowed in the green zones, but is still permitted in eighty-four per cent of the park.
Other key elements include:
- A $15.1 million Structural Adjustment Program to buy licences from commercial fishers who voluntarily leave the industry, easing the stress on the bay’s fish population, and also for aquarium fishers.
- A trial of artificial reefs to provide anglers with more fishing opportunities. One will be built on the existing Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef north of Peel Island; the sites for two others in the north of the bay are being assessed. The impacts of the reefs on the bay’s ecology will be closely monitored by the EPA.
- A total of eight purpose-built moorings in two sensitive coral reef areas at Flinders Reef and Flat Rock.
- Measures to look after some of Moreton Bay’s most iconic species such as turtles and dugong, with more go slow areas to help to reduce the risk of boat strikes.
- Eight extra officers to monitor and enforce the green zones.
- Two new boats and three new jet skis to strengthen enforcement.
- Installing land-based and in-water signs and buoys to help users identify the zones.
- A five-year scientific monitoring program by the EPA in collaboration with research partners including CSIRO, The University of Queensland and Griffith University.

Mr McNamara said the plan was finalised after the Environmental Protection Agency considered more than 8000 submissions, fielded 1100 hotline calls and conducted 10 public information sessions.
Briefings were held with residents, traditional owners, environmental groups, fishing and boating bodies, and other bay users ranging from sporting hovercraft pilots and oyster growers.

“It underlines how important this bay is to so many different people,” Mr McNamara said.
For further information visit www.epa.qld.gov.au/moretonbay

Last updated: 12 November 2008

I have highlighted bits and pieces in blue or underlined as I would like to hear some of your comments......
They really seem to have splashed out and will put an additional number of staff to police the new zones..... a couple of boats and some jet skis....... WOW!!!!!!
And what about all those submissions, public information sessions......Maybe they have been transparent in all their dealings????

Shane

[Lucky_Phill]

My responses are in RED:-




MoretonBay protected for the future
Queensland’s world class waterway, Moreton Bay Marine Park, will soon see a massive expansion of protected area, Premier Anna Bligh has announced.
Under a new zoning plan, sixteen per cent of the Moreton Bay Marine Park - which stretches from Caloundra to the Gold Coast Seaway - will be protected by green zones, up from the current half a per cent. Ms Bligh said the new plan, backed by a $21 million investment, would come into force on March 1, 2009.

All good but about 80% of foreshore and island mangrove habitat was not protected. This area is vital to the whole MBMP Ecosystem. Also some ‘ Dark Blue “ area proposals were changed to “ Light Blue “, because the State Development folk are allowing a multi-storey resort and marina ( along with dredging the CabooltureRiver ) to be established. These Dollar Demons over-ride the EPA.

“This is a body of water unlike any other in Queensland - on the doorstep of 2.5 million people who love it and use it intensely,” Ms Bligh said.
“This is about getting the balance right – so current and future generations can enjoy all the bay has to offer without loving it to death.”

The new zoning plan is based on extensive ( overseas modeling ) scientific research, followed by months of consultation and negotiation with marine park users and interest groups. Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara said the higher level of protection was needed to ensure the future of the delicate ecosystem. Moreton Bay, a wetland of international significance, ( if this is so important, why are the Brisbane Airport Authority allowed to destroy many acres of mangroves and dump crap over near Mud Island and also utilize millions of tons of dredged sand from Moreton Bay, which btw, is covered by Seagrass to the extent of 15% ) is home to 750 species of fish, 120 species of coral, an abundance of dolphins, migratory whales and dugong.

“The science told us that we had to protect a portion of every type of ecosystem in the marine park – from the corals to the mangroves to the shorelines. ( Protecting it…. Protecting from what ?... it needs cleaning up, the problems are from upstream of the creeks and rivers that feed the Bay. )
“Every decision we have made has been shaped by feedback we’ve received from the local communities, businesses and individuals. There has been a lot of give and take to get a sensible balance.”
The final plan protects 16 per cent of Moreton Bay as green zones, an increase from the 15 per cent proposed in the draft plan released in December last year, after consultation with stakeholders.
The green zones are open to boats and activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and boaties can go anywhere. ( thus allowing pollution and rubbish to still be dumped in the Green Zones… again, the Green Zones are protecting what ? )

Fishing will not be allowed in the green zones, but is still permitted in eighty-four per cent of the park.
Other key elements include:
- A $15.1 million Structural Adjustment Program to buy licences from commercial fishers who voluntarily leave the industry, easing the stress on the bay’s fish population, and also for aquarium fishers. ( No compo for the landbased business’s that will suffer, this part is a joke !! )
- A trial of artificial reefs to provide anglers with more fishing opportunities. One will be built on the existing Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef north of PeelIsland; the sites for two others in the north of the bay are being assessed. The impacts of the reefs on the bay’s ecology will be closely monitored by the EPA. ( This is a positive and I hope the review is fully funded and public accessible updates are available )
- A total of eight purpose-built moorings in two sensitive coral reef areas at Flinders Reef and Flat Rock. ( Doesn’t matter, you will still have rubbish laden tourist and dive boats entering Green Zones…. One out … All out )
- Measures to look after some of Moreton Bay’s most iconic species such as turtles and dugong, with more go slow areas to help to reduce the risk of boat strikes. ( Yeah right , the Ferry operators have an exemption to these, and they are the culprits… twisted logic ! )
- Eight extra officers to monitor and enforce the green zones.
- Two new boats and three new jet skis to strengthen enforcement.
- Installing land-based and in-water signs and buoys to help users identify the zones.
- A five-year scientific monitoring program by the EPA in collaboration with research partners including CSIRO, The University of Queensland and Griffith University.

Mr McNamara said the plan was finalised after the Environmental Protection Agency considered more than 8000 submissions ( mostly from brainwashed animal libbers who simply added their monica to a formatted email they probably didn’t even read ), fielded 1100 hotline calls and conducted 10 public information sessions.
Briefings were held with residents, traditional owners, environmental groups, fishing and boating bodies, and other bay users ranging from sporting hovercraft pilots and oyster growers.

“It underlines how important this bay is to so many different people,” Mr McNamara said.
For further information visit www.epa.qld.gov.au/moretonbay




cheers Phill