Published Friday, 02 June, 2017 at 03:30 PM
Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey
Study results for proposed boating facilities at Emu Park
The Palaszczuk Government will continue to investigate new options for boat ramps on the Capricorn Coast after a possible facility at Emu Park was rejected.
The decision to not proceed any further with the proposed boat ramp comes after the release of a Social and Economic Benefits and Impacts Study into its construction.
The study was conducted as part of an election commitment by the Palaszczuk Government.
Announcing the findings, Minister for Main Roads and Ports Mark Bailey today said after careful consideration of the report and its recommendations, it had been decided not to proceed any further with the facility.
Mr Bailey said in 2011, Transport and Main Roads undertook a Demand Forecasting Study which identified a shortfall in all-tide access boat ramp lanes along the Capricorn Coast.
“Emu Park was identified as a possible location for a new all-tide boating facility during detailed site investigations undertaken in 2013,” he said.
“A number of issues and concerns were raised with this option, such as access to the facility through the town centre, traffic issues, construction impacts and visual amenity, that would greatly impact on this coastal town.
“We will continue to investigate possible solutions to address the shortfall being experienced on the Capricorn Coast.
“Along with continuing to investigate possible locations for this facility on the Capricorn Coast, we also have other projects on the go.
“The existing boat ramps at Causeway Lake, Mulambin and Stanage Bay will be rebuilt, we are undertaking annual hydrographic surveys to the entrance of Coorooman Creek to investigate the installation of navigational aids and we are investigating a new two-lane boat ramp at Thompson Point and relocation of the existing boat ramp at Port Alma.
“We have also completed works in recent years to widen the boat ramps at Nerimbera and Coorooman Creeks.”
State Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said there was strong support for a new boating facility in the region, however Emu Park was not the best place.
“Also, although the proposed new facility would marginally alleviate the demand for recreational boating facilities in the Capricorn Coast region, it is questionable whether the proposed scale of the facility would have catered to the existing spill over from Rosslyn Bay Boat Harbour and if the cost of the facility was worth the investment for its scale,” she said.
Ms Lauga said an update of the Demand Forecasting Study was recently completed, which identified new locations and improvements in the region.
“The Palaszczuk Government recognises the importance boating and fishing plays in the lives of this coastal community and is committed to finding and providing improved boating facilities,” Ms Lauga said.
The Social and Economic Benefits and Impacts report can be viewed on the Emu Park project page, www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/E.
Results of the study for Livingstone Shire can be viewed here -
ENDS
Media contact: Dominic Geiger, 0447355565