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Environment, Local Government, Planning and Women, Desley Boyle
20/01/06
Boyle to cut red tape for marine tourism operators
Proposed changes to marine park regulations will cut red tape for tourism
operators, giving them more time to get on with showing off Queensland's
spectacular reefs and islands, Environment Minister Desley Boyle says.
Ms Boyle announced the proposed changes in Cairns today.
"The Great Barrier Reef is an international tourism icon, contributing
millions of dollars to our tourism industry and Queensland's economy," Ms
Boyle said.
"Anyone who has snorkelled or dived on the Great Barrier Reef knows it is
just magical.
"That's why it is so important for the tourism industry and Queensland Parks
and Wildlife Service to work together. We have to make sure people can
experience Queensland's reefs and islands and that we protect them for
future generations.
"Tourism operators, like rangers, are on the ground every day and can tell
when an area is being overused, walking tracks need maintenance or weeds are
creeping in," Ms Boyle said.
She is urging tourism operators and the wider community to have their say on
a review of the Marine Parks Regulation 1990 which is due for its standard
10-year check-up.
The regulation covers the Great Barrier Reef Coast, Moreton Bay, Woongarra
(off Bundaberg) and Hervey Bay marine parks.
"Marine parks protect our special marine habitats, plants and wildlife by
regulating how the areas can be used," Ms Boyle said.
"I am calling on the tourism industry, green groups and the wider community
to get involved in updating our marine park regulations," Ms Boyle said.
As part of the consultation, special areas will be identified for the new
"Tourism In Protected Areas" program and businesses operating in those areas
will be able to negotiate individual agreements with Queensland Parks and
Wildlife Service.
"These negotiated agreements will give tourism operators greater business
certainty, while charging them fair fees reflecting the site's value to the
business," Ms Boyle said.
The agreements will:
* be able to last 10 years, providing greater certainty to the tourism
industry
* be transferable - they can be sold, along with the business to
"suitable" buyers
* allow operators to negotiate fair fees that reflect the site's value
to the business and will be spent to manage or improve the area.
Other proposed changes include:
* streamlining permits so tourism operators who visit national parks
and State marine areas like beaches and bays have one agreement that covers
their use of these areas
* improving consistency by extending the same regulations - and powers
to enforce them - that exist on national park islands to the beaches around
them.
The Regulatory Impact Statement will be available for comment until Friday,
March 3, 2006. Copies are available at www.epa.qld.gov.au or by phoning
3227 6124.
I really think I'm starting to get paranoid but is this what I think it is??
Be happy to havethose smarter than me invistigate and comment but in my view
Reads to me like tourism operators are about to be given "sole rights" to
certain areas and these "sole rights" can the, in fact be "sold off" as any
part of a sale of business. I would expect these "rights" would include the
"right" to exclude certain activities and other user groups....to whit "us" and the tourism operators get to enforce the "rules".
These would be the so called "Tourism Protected Areas" Now that's an oxymoron if I ever saw one.
This can't be right and hopefully someone can show me I'm just working too hard and need a bex and a quiet lie down.
Will ad this one to our growing list for our public meeting of The Fishing Party on Tuesday 7th Feb - Moreton Bay Trailer Boat club Fairlead Cr Manly Brisbane starting at 7:30 ( members and non members welcome)
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