Moreton Bay Consultation Yielding Positive Feedback

Public feedback on the draft blueprint for the conservation of Moreton Bay Marine Park has supported the State Government’s decision to seek greater protection for the internationally significant waterway.

Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said a series of public displays held during the past fortnight showed some sections of the community wanted even greater protection than proposed in the draft plan.

“Many people are passionate about Moreton Bay, and rightly so,” Mr McNamara said.

“More than 600 people who attended public meetings held at centres up and down the length of the marine park expressed divergent views about particular parts of the Bay which need protection.

“That was expected, given the broad range of individuals and groups with an interest in how the Bay is used.

“All issues raised during the public displays and in written submissions received will be considered in the development of a final re-zoning plan to take effect from later this year.

“Nobody wins if the health of this magnificent marine environment is allowed to degrade through lack of adequate protection, and we will have failed future generations.

“Moreton Bay Marine Park is vital to our social, economic and cultural lifestyles, and supports recreational and commercial activities such as fishing, boating and tourism.

“It is an internationally significant marine environment, which supports abundant wildlife including more than 750 species of fish and 120 species of coral.

“The preservation of the marine park’s biodiversity also has significant economic implications for Queensland.

“Marine park-based tourism generates more than $500 million annually, as well as $25 million for commercial fishing.

“The draft plan provides for a financial assistance package for commercial fishers forced out of the industry.”

Mr McNamara said the draft plan identifies 15 percent of the 340,000-hectare Marine Park as ‘green zones’ – protecting some of the most valuable and vulnerable conservation areas.

“The draft plan attempts to balance the needs of marine park users with the need to preserve the internationally significant waterway for future generations,” Mr McNamara said.

“This draft zoning plan is a significant investment in our future; helping to build resilience in a marine environment that needs to cope with the pressures of being on the doorstep of Australia’s fastest growing capital city.”

Mr McNamara said the Queensland Government has allocated $1million towards research, planning and construction of a new artificial reef in Moreton Bay.

“The artificial reef will provide alternate sites to recreational fishers, following the re-zoning of sections of the Marine Park as Green Zones, which preclude fishing but allow diving and boating,” he said.

“Discussions I’ve had with recreational fishers have welcomed the State Government allocation of funding for the artificial reef.

“The science of purpose-built artificial reefs is quite advanced now, and we will be looking to use the best possible material and formations to attract marine life and provide enhanced opportunities for recreational fishers.”

Mr McNamara encouraged people to have their say on the draft zoning plan before submissions close on 7 March.

The draft plan can be viewed online at www.epa.qld.gov.au, or phone 1800 105 789 to request a copy.

Submissions can also be made via the website or a submission form.

Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004