Gold Coast boaties urged to have their say on dredging

Boaties from the Gold Coast and Southern Moreton Bay are being encouraged to go online and have their say about future dredging requirements of local waterways.

Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel, said an online survey canvassing boaties’ views would provide important evidence for a Gold Coast Waterways Access Needs Study now underway.

"The study will help identify the demand for navigable channels and the depths that the marine and recreational boating industries require now and in the future.

"It will also estimate the costs and benefits of a long-term channel-dredging strategy and recommend ways of delivering it, including funding options," Mr Mickel said.

The study forms part of the Queensland Government’s Marine Infrastructure Master Plan.

The results of the survey will help determine the dredging requirements of the study area.

The area being studied ranges from north of Coochiemudlo Island and south to Benowa. It includes the Coomera River upstream to the Gold Coast Motorway (M1) bridge and the Nerang River upstream to the Ross Street bridge at Benowa.

The Gold Coast Broadwater and Seaway (and navigable approaches) also fall within the study area.

A map of the study focus area and a link to the survey are at www.goldcoastdredging.qld.gov.au. The survey remains open for comment until 10 December 2007.

Boaties and other community members can also provide feedback to the study team by:

• emailing goldcoastdredging@transport.qld.gov.au
• calling 3117 5652
• writing to: Gold Coast Dredging Initiatives
Queensland Transport
PO Box 213
Brisbane Queensland 4001.

Media contact: Chris Brown on 3237 1944 or Jan Martin on 3237 1125