Published Thursday, 18 January, 2007 at 01:24 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
NO AQUACULTURE SEA CAGES ON THE GREAT SANDY
The Queensland Government has today moved to correct inaccurate statements made by the Queensland Conservation Council that the Government is intending to open up the Great Sandy Straits and Moreton Bay to sea cage fish farming.
“In April last year the Government released the zoning plan for the new Great Sandy Marine Park. The zoning plan specifically prohibits sea cage fish farm aquaculture from all zones in the Great Sandy Marine Park” the Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said today.
Mr Mickel said that there is no intention by the Government to change that decision and the statements from the Queensland Conservation Council are just scare mongering. They are clearly not adding to an informed and balanced debate.
The Government recognises that there was strong community opposition to the sea cage proposal in Moreton Bay. The Green Paper does not identify specific development sites or types of aquaculture for Queensland. Instead it is about setting in place a management and policy framework which will help us grow a vibrant, diverse and ecologically sustainable marine aquaculture industry he said.
The Queensland Conservation Council is aware that sea cages are prohibited from the Great Sandy Marine Park and that the zoning plan, which is subordinate legislation, would have to be amended by Parliament to allow sea cages to go into the Great Sandy Marine Park said Mr Mickel.
Mr Mickel said that the Government had released the Marine Aquaculture Policy Green Paper to encourage community discussion about how the State can balance development of this important industry with the core principles of sustainability.
Mr Mickel said there had been significant community interest in the Marine Aquaculture Policy Green Paper. I’m pleased that so many members of the community want to be involved in this issue he said. The Green Paper has been sent to 100 interested parties and over 150 copies of the Green Paper have been downloaded from the Department’s website since it was released on the 11th January 2007.
Interested people have until 22 February 2007 to submit their comments on the Green Paper. Submissions can also be made online at www.getinvovled.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
18 January 2007
“In April last year the Government released the zoning plan for the new Great Sandy Marine Park. The zoning plan specifically prohibits sea cage fish farm aquaculture from all zones in the Great Sandy Marine Park” the Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said today.
Mr Mickel said that there is no intention by the Government to change that decision and the statements from the Queensland Conservation Council are just scare mongering. They are clearly not adding to an informed and balanced debate.
The Government recognises that there was strong community opposition to the sea cage proposal in Moreton Bay. The Green Paper does not identify specific development sites or types of aquaculture for Queensland. Instead it is about setting in place a management and policy framework which will help us grow a vibrant, diverse and ecologically sustainable marine aquaculture industry he said.
The Queensland Conservation Council is aware that sea cages are prohibited from the Great Sandy Marine Park and that the zoning plan, which is subordinate legislation, would have to be amended by Parliament to allow sea cages to go into the Great Sandy Marine Park said Mr Mickel.
Mr Mickel said that the Government had released the Marine Aquaculture Policy Green Paper to encourage community discussion about how the State can balance development of this important industry with the core principles of sustainability.
Mr Mickel said there had been significant community interest in the Marine Aquaculture Policy Green Paper. I’m pleased that so many members of the community want to be involved in this issue he said. The Green Paper has been sent to 100 interested parties and over 150 copies of the Green Paper have been downloaded from the Department’s website since it was released on the 11th January 2007.
Interested people have until 22 February 2007 to submit their comments on the Green Paper. Submissions can also be made online at www.getinvovled.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
18 January 2007