New Artificial Reefs. Hervey Bay

[Lucky_Phill]

the following is taken directly from the Govt website in regard to the Marine Infrastructure Fund :- The more people enjoy boating in Queensland, the more pressure there is on the capacity of facilities such as boat ramps, pontoons and jetties. Transport and Main Roads owns public boat ramps, pontoons, jetties, floating walkways, barge ramps and wharves throughout Queensland. Transport and Main Roads works in partnership with local government, port authorities and private developers to deliver new and upgraded recreational boating infrastructure for Queenslanders.

The Minister, Steve Dickson has announced these reefs....sort of, here is a part of his media release " The Great Sandy Strait is truly a top spot and a new artificial reef will enhance recreational and commercial fishing, as well as diving ". He also stated " the reefs cost $1.5 million , financed by the Queensland Governments $50 million Marine Infrastructure Fund ".

WELL< Mr Dickson........... please explain.... as per the Marine Infrastructure Fund mission statement above, no where does it mention commercial fishing. In fact, this fund is purely designated and designed for Recreational Fishers / Boaties.

Further, sir, you stated " a new artificial reef ", well.............in fact there are 2.... !!!!!

Mr Dickson, this is bull dust or at best a " gaff "................. let's hope it is the latter... !!!!!

cheers Phill

[Chong]

they still fish the whole park here Phill...as far as i am aware its the only marine park that allows commercial netting in it???

[Lucky_Phill]

Pretty close Chong.

Commercial netting is permitted in the Yellow Zones in the Marine Park. This is the only instance of commercial netting in Yellow Zones in all of Australia, and why is this allowed ? Very good question and I am unable to get a reasonable answer to this.

I have wizzed of letters to :-

Fraser Coast Fishing Alliance
Fraser Coast Chronicle
Minister Steve Dickson
The Arti Reef working group manager ( QNPWS )...and others, hopefully receiving a response soon.

I suppose Noddy is due for a " please explain " as well.


LP

[sharkymark2]

It is way past time that Rec Fishers received more recognition and support. How much of the best of our fish fruit and vege goes of shore? Rec fishers use the environment for the controlled pleasure of the Aussie population. Where I fish and crab there is a pro pot every 50m and legal Buck populations have been decimated. I believe that the Government support should swing towards those who return more benefit to us. I look forward to the Government taking on board intelligent and wise advice from rec fishers in the assistance of improving our environment. I hope this would prevent the excuse of false science being used by anti fishing groups to support their vegan lifestyles. There are so many spin offs to rec fishing. Not the least is mental health. You don't find to many fishers punching up down the Pin bar like the valley in Brisbane. This pastime is a very family orientated recreation. The very word recreation encompasses the word recreate. That is to recreate or renew something back to the original state. I have no beef with Pro-fishers but the days of bounty are over. We need to look at new methods of improving our environment. Everywhere that has had pro fishing restricted or removed has had a natural bounce back of fish populations. How long before our Tailor populations are totally collapsed? Where are the bream schools of the past? I don't need to go on, you know what needs to be done. Lets do it!

[Scott Mitchell]

I attended the last artificial reef meeting in Hervey Bay at the Kondari where it was agreed by those in attendance that the two sites identified as being near Bogimbah ledge and the outer banks would be the final recommendations and that we hoped to see these approved and built early in 2016 ......

I also raised the point that they should be restricted to rec anglers and divers - which was clearly hailed down as delaying the final approval or losing it all together and that we should just deal with the conflict as it arises once completed .....

Just like we do when dealing with a marine park that allows commercial netting in our yellow conservations !

Regards
Scott Mitchell

Chairman FCFA

http://www.frasercoastfishingalliance.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/FraserCoastFishingAlliance

[Lucky_Phill]

That's BS Scotty.... hailed down..by who ?

These reefs are funded by the M.I.F and or for Recreational Boaties, NOT commercial guys....


can you send me the names of the people that presided over this meeting ? and where they were from.

cheers Phill

[Lucky_Phill]

FYI... people.

see if anyoine can find where commercial opewrators are catered for...

Date: 9 March …..............For immediate release


LNP TO FUND MARINE INFRASTRUCTURE


Member for Hinchinbrook, Mr Andrew Cripps has welcomed news that an LNP Government will create a $50 million Marine Infrastructure Fund to ensure Queenslanders can fully enjoy our great marine heritage and lifestyle.


Mr Cripps said he was delighted that the LNP would establish a $50 million Marine Infrastructure Fund to build new marine infrastructure, such as boat ramps, pontoons, fishing platforms and artificial reefs in areas of greatest need.


"Queensland's 750,000 recreational fishers and boaties have been offered a new deal with the LNP's leader Campbell Newman promising to fix Labor's long neglect of marine infrastructure", said Mr Cripps. "We will work with fishing and boating groups to achieve common sense and value-for-money outcomes", he said.
.
Mr Cripps said under the current tired 20 year Labor Government, the ability of
Queenslanders to properly enjoy our marine environment, whether it be for fishing,
boating or employment opportunities, had not been apriority.


"Boat ramps and fishing platforms improve access for recreational fishing and boating",
said Mr Cripps and "unlike Labor, which has only provided artificial reefs as inadequate
compensation for 'no-fishing' zones and bans on recreational fishing, an LNP Government will invest in a $50 million Marine Infrastructure Fund over four years to provide better infrastructure and improve access to our marine environment, and allow
Queenslanders to enjoy our coastal waterways", he said.


-ENDS-


and this from parliament:-




Question on Notice
No. 349
Asked on Tuesday, 10 July 2012
MR DILLAWAY
asked the Minister for Transport and Main Roads (MR EMERSON)—
QUESTION:
Will the Minister advise what the timeline for implementation, the process for selecting and the selection criteria that will be used to allocate funding for small marine infrastructure projects like community boat ramps as part of the LNP’s Marine Infrastructure Fund?


ANSWER:


I thank the Member for Bulimba for the question.


The Department of Transport and Main Roads provides access to Queensland
waterways by delivering marine infrastructure, such as boat ramps, landings, and dredged channels, to meet the needs of the recreational boating and fishing public. The department delivers these facilities in partnership with local managing authorities including local government, port authorities and private developers.


The provision of small marine infrastructure is prioritised within available funds to ensure a fair and equitable distribution across the state. Priority is given to marine infrastructure that provides the greatest possible benefit to the recreational boating and fishing public.


The department delivers these projects through its Marine Infrastructure Capital and Maintenance Program which forms part of the Marine Infrastructure Fund. This is a rolling program over four years, updated each year to adjust for variations in funding, project delivery schedules of emerging community requirements, and response to natural disaster events like cyclones.


Proposals for new or upgraded marine infrastructure and maintenance projects are initiated either by the department or through the department’s land-side partners based on emerging needs.



The selection criteria for deciding which individual projects will be included on the forward works program are based on:

land availability and location of the proposed facility

agreement from land-side partners willing to commit resources

agreement from land-side partners to manage and maintain the facility

compliance with departmental guidelines, such as boat ramp design, car park
numbers and layout

the life cycle costs of the facility, including capital and maintenance costs

the scale of the project within the statewide program of works

any site, environmental or engineering constraints

regional equity across the state.


The selected projects are included on the four year rolling works program, with the majority of projects scheduled for delivery over two years. Design and approvals are programmed in the first year and construction in the second year.
Due to the state’s projected $100 billion debt, there is some flexibility in the timing of commencement for agreed projects. Some projects may, for good reasons, be deferred beyond the four year program.


The four year program is currently being formulated, with the timing of individual projects yet to be determined.







And this is the core promise from Mr Newman, prior to the election.


WW
LNP CANDO ACTION:


How will an LNP Government act to improve access to allow Queensland families to
enjoy our waterways?


The tired 20 year Labor Government has neglected our waterways, and treated our 750,000 recreational fishers with contempt. They have been more focused on green spin and preferences than in investing in access to our waterways for Queensland families and our tourists to enjoy.


The LNP will support Queenslanders’ ability to enjoy our natural heritage responsibly.
The LNP understands fishing is one of the most popular pastimes in Queensland, with an
estimated 750,000 recreational fishers in this State. In addition, we understand many more
Queenslanders get pleasure from other activities on our coastal waters.


Unlike Bligh Labor, an LNP Government will consult widely and continuously with
Queenslanders to ensure that their views are heard and acted on, as well as working with
responsible environmental advocates.
An LNP Government will establish a Marine Infrastructure Fund to build new boat ramps and fishing platforms as well as targeted projects to improve access to Queensland waterways at Trinity Inlet and the Gold Coast Broadwater as we understand channel deepening can be essential maintenance for our marine environment.


The CanDo LNP will grow a four pillar economy so we can use the dividends to build better marine infrastructure for Queensland families to enjoy.


Our Marine Infrastructure Fundwill invest $120 million over four years in our waterway
infrastructure. The Marine Infrastructure Fundwill invest $50 million in small marine infrastructure such as boat ramps and fishing pontoons for our recreational fishers and boaters.


The rest will be invested into key access improvements at Trinity Inlet in Cairns and the
Gold Coast Broadwater as the LNP understands the importance to get the basics right.
Essential waterway funding for such items as navigational aids, marine safety education and compliance will continue to be funded separately.
How will the Marine Infrastructure fund improve access to our waterways for recreational fishers and boaters?


Marine Infrastructure Fund will invest $50 million over 4 years in improving access to our
waterways for Queensland families through smaller marine infrastructure works, such as boat ramps and fishing platforms. This infrastructure is vital to improve access for Queensland’s recreational fishers and boaters, as well as tourists.


Labor has been more focused on green spin than in protecting our marine environment
and making it accessible to Queenslanders. In contrast the LNP will act to build better
infrastructure and better maintain our waterways.





requently Asked Questions
www. lnp.org.au


Modest sized boat ramps can be built for less than $1 million and fishing platforms and
pontoons can be built for less than $500,000. On this basis this fund could build up to
25 boat ramps, along with 15 pontoons and 15 fishing platforms.


An LNP Government will deliver better infrastructure to allow Queenslanders to enjoy our
coastal waterways.


What will this mean for recreational fishers?


Fishing is one of the most popular pastimes in Queensland, with an estimated 750,000
recreational fishers in this state. It is also a key reason why so many tourists flock
to Queensland.


Fishing and boating enthusiasts have been a low priority under the tired 20 year Labor
Government. In fact Labor has been more focused on green spin than on protecting our
marine environment and making it accessible to Queenslanders.


The LNP is committed to supporting Queenslanders’ ability to enjoy our natural
heritage responsibly. The fund will be used to build new marine infrastructure in areas of greatest need as well as maintaining access to Queensland waterways.


Authorised by M.O’Dwyer, 66 Bowen St, Spring Hill, Qld, 4000.

[Lucky_Phill]

Quoted from an email with the express permission of the recipient

,

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me. As discussed, commercial fishing is not allowed on the artificial reefs. It is hoped that the establishment of artificial reefs will (in the long term) lead to an increase in fish number for the area as a whole which would benefit commercial fishers.

Please note that Mr Phill Kliese also asked the same question on the Minister’s Facebook page on 4 October at 6:46pm. Mr Kliese received a response from our office on 5 October at 3:48pm.

Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kristy Konings
Policy Advisor|National Parks
Office of the Hon. Steve Dickson MP | Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing

Phone: 07 3719 7110 | Fax: 07 3012 7725 | Mobile: 0413 204 520
111 George Street | Brisbane | QLD 4000
GPO Box 15187 | Brisbane | QLD 4001

Great State. Great Opportunity.

[Lucky_Phill]

Further clarification:-

Steve Dickson Hi Phill- Commercial fishing will not be allowed on the artificial reefs, but I hope long term it leads to an increase in numbers for the whole region.
Like · Reply · October 5 at 3:48pm