The LNP has committed to creating a Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority to protect and plan for the future of the region’s ecosystems.
The Opposition’s deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie said the authority would put an end to buck-passing between multiple layers of bureaucracy and give certainty to locals, business and councils.
“We will provide holistic waterway management for marine industries, commercial and recreational fisheries and enable world-class tourism to grow on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“The LNP will improve and promote the sustainable use of the region’s iconic waterways and the enjoyment of Queensland families.”
Mr Bleijie said the Gold Coast has had an almost identical authority for over a decade and that the management of Sunshine Coast waterways “leaves a lot to be desired”
“We’ve got a Coast Guard that actually can’t get their boat from north to south (in the sand-clogged Pumicestone Passage). They’re having to moor now at Pelican Waters … because the government won’t look at even dredging and this is the problem,” he said.
Mr Bleijie envisaged the authority would comprise a board with council and community representatives and would have the power to make decisions about waterways, such as the region’s rivers and the passage.
He described the promised authority as a one-stop shop.
“The community are sick and tired of not knowing where to go, where to get information, and the transparency around decisions about how waterways are managed,” he said.
Kerrie Chandler, co-owner of Bill’s Boat Hire, which was established in 1956, gave her support to the initiative and said the announcement was “fantastic”.
“We’ve been eyes on the water for many, many decades and currently, I’m eyes on the water every single day seeing vast and really devastating changes happening to our waterways,” she said.
“But the burning question for tourists and locals, when I speak to them on a day-to-day basis, is, ‘What is the government doing about this destruction, about this devastation?'”
Tim Hindley, of the community-based Pumicestone Passage Catchment Management Board, said the proposed waterway authority should be the driving force for community involvement and economic management of the passage.
“We’ve reached out to all levels of government and so far, this is the best response we could ever hope for,” he said.
LNP Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson also said the LNP’s $35.6 million commitment would act as a “one-stop shop”, to ensure local knowledge was better incorporated into waterway management, while providing ongoing certainty for commercial tourism and fishing operators into the future.
“This waterway (authority) will ensure our local industries can continue to thrive and invest with confidence into the future while protecting all the things Sunshine Coast locals love about our waterways,” she said.
The LNP candidate for Caloundra, Kendall Morton, said the planned authority would increase conservation efforts.
“The LNP’s plan will give our region the opportunity to boost our eco-tourism offerings and showcase the region’s natural assets,” she said.
The party’s candidate for Noosa, Clare Stewart, said better management of local waterways was needed.
“The lives of Noosa families, business owners and tourists are inextricably linked to our beautiful waterways, yet over the years we have seen piecemeal approach to their management,” she said.
“It’s high time we had a proper mechanism in place to manage their use as a whole.”
Meanwhile, LNP candidate for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan said establishing the authority would be critical in preserving and protecting the passage.
Sunshine Coast News has sought state government comment.
A Maritime Safety Queensland marine officer was appointed to the region, based at Pelican Waters, last year.
The marine officer was expected to primarily conduct a range of activities relating to boating’s ‘fatal five’. Their duties also include marine pollution inspections, investigating marine incidents, maintaining navigational aids and signage, managing buoy moorings, anchoring and vessel liveaboard management, supporting hydrographic surveys and responding to complaints.
A Healthy Land and Water Report Card for 2023 revealed that most of the region’s water catchments were rated ‘very good’ and ‘fair’.
Council stated that it does not comment on policies or projects proposed during a state election.
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