Shane Boese
27-08-2007, 07:29 PM
Shane Boese
Wynnum Q 4178
27 August 2007
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Ms Lindy Nelson-Carr
Dear Minister
RE: 4BC Interview
I listened with interest to the interview between yourself and Dave Downie that aired at 6:10 am on Sunday, 26 August 2007.
Although I have a number of concerns that arose from the Interview, I would just like to touch on a few in this letter.
You made the reference “we are in consultation with bait shops, commercial fishermen …..” I own the only bait and tackle store that services the Wynnum, Manly, Lota, Chandler, Wakerley, Ransome area, I am also a Commercial Fisherman, a Recreational Fisherman and father of children who also fish recreationally. To date NO-ONE has been in touch with me or any other member of the general public that I am aware of, either personally or by “extensive mailout” regarding input into the Moreton Bay Review process. I refer to this statement “There have been extensive mail outs and meetings with stakeholders including businesses, bait and tackle shops, fishing clubs, seafood industry, tourism bodies, conservation groups, boating, diving and recreation groups and commercial fishers.” in your media release also dated 26 August 2007.
The reference to “consultation, consultation” infers that the actual users of the bay have had the opportunity to make comment on the areas of interest. I know for a fact that the “consultations” that were held in my area were static displays only and the EPA representatives were unable or unwilling to answer any questions or concerns or accept any comments from the public who attended. The response being that there would be “NO public debate” on the issue. It is the same response that is received when we have telephoned EPA seeking an interactive dialogue with the dept. The only input we, the users and residents of Moreton Bay, have had available to us is to respond to the EPA survey, which only allows for data collection on specific questions and criteria set by the EPA.
If you are so keen to “get it right”, then come and meet the people of Brisbane whose livelihoods and lifestyles will be most affected by the decisions you make. If it is logistically too hard for your office to arrange, I am more than happy to assist by contacting interested Clubs to host you so that you can meet, greet and allay the fears of your constituents, areas of interest would be, Bribie Island, Redcliffe, Manly and Cleveland as starters.
You also seemed concerned about the mud map presented in the Courier Mail and have made repeated media statements that “lines on maps have not been drawn”. The maps that have “not been drawn” yet have already been in circulation around Brisbane for a while! Take a look at the a number of the Australian fishing Chat Forum. Yes, I have copies and so do many other people who have downloaded, copied and forwarded them!.
Another point that struck me was your reference to degradation of water quality. It is no secret that that has little to do with fishermen or marine users, but rather urban development and town planning. If EPA are liasing with other agencies, surely they would already have been aware that changes to the Port development would result in altered tidal flow in other areas of the bay and therefore siltation and other water quality changes would occur. I also note that the EPA has given permission for the removal of tons of sand from Moreton Bay for the express use off the Brisbane Airport Corporation for the second runway not to mention the filling in of Jackson’s Creek a very well known fishing spot and breeding area for many of our marine life.
I realise that you have been given a hard task, but trying to apply overseas studies to our unique circumstances does not instil confidence in the community, and the one-sided consultation process is doing more harm than good to the overall image of the EPA. The decisions you make could very well determine the political future of the Labour Party and the Greens in SEQ as I believe the issue of Moreton Bay IS that big!
Yours truly,
Shane Boese
Father
Commercial Fisherman
Marine Business Owner and Operator
Concerned Moreton Bay Local
Cc: Premier Peter Beattie
Minister Mike Horan
Wynnum Q 4178
27 August 2007
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Ms Lindy Nelson-Carr
Dear Minister
RE: 4BC Interview
I listened with interest to the interview between yourself and Dave Downie that aired at 6:10 am on Sunday, 26 August 2007.
Although I have a number of concerns that arose from the Interview, I would just like to touch on a few in this letter.
You made the reference “we are in consultation with bait shops, commercial fishermen …..” I own the only bait and tackle store that services the Wynnum, Manly, Lota, Chandler, Wakerley, Ransome area, I am also a Commercial Fisherman, a Recreational Fisherman and father of children who also fish recreationally. To date NO-ONE has been in touch with me or any other member of the general public that I am aware of, either personally or by “extensive mailout” regarding input into the Moreton Bay Review process. I refer to this statement “There have been extensive mail outs and meetings with stakeholders including businesses, bait and tackle shops, fishing clubs, seafood industry, tourism bodies, conservation groups, boating, diving and recreation groups and commercial fishers.” in your media release also dated 26 August 2007.
The reference to “consultation, consultation” infers that the actual users of the bay have had the opportunity to make comment on the areas of interest. I know for a fact that the “consultations” that were held in my area were static displays only and the EPA representatives were unable or unwilling to answer any questions or concerns or accept any comments from the public who attended. The response being that there would be “NO public debate” on the issue. It is the same response that is received when we have telephoned EPA seeking an interactive dialogue with the dept. The only input we, the users and residents of Moreton Bay, have had available to us is to respond to the EPA survey, which only allows for data collection on specific questions and criteria set by the EPA.
If you are so keen to “get it right”, then come and meet the people of Brisbane whose livelihoods and lifestyles will be most affected by the decisions you make. If it is logistically too hard for your office to arrange, I am more than happy to assist by contacting interested Clubs to host you so that you can meet, greet and allay the fears of your constituents, areas of interest would be, Bribie Island, Redcliffe, Manly and Cleveland as starters.
You also seemed concerned about the mud map presented in the Courier Mail and have made repeated media statements that “lines on maps have not been drawn”. The maps that have “not been drawn” yet have already been in circulation around Brisbane for a while! Take a look at the a number of the Australian fishing Chat Forum. Yes, I have copies and so do many other people who have downloaded, copied and forwarded them!.
Another point that struck me was your reference to degradation of water quality. It is no secret that that has little to do with fishermen or marine users, but rather urban development and town planning. If EPA are liasing with other agencies, surely they would already have been aware that changes to the Port development would result in altered tidal flow in other areas of the bay and therefore siltation and other water quality changes would occur. I also note that the EPA has given permission for the removal of tons of sand from Moreton Bay for the express use off the Brisbane Airport Corporation for the second runway not to mention the filling in of Jackson’s Creek a very well known fishing spot and breeding area for many of our marine life.
I realise that you have been given a hard task, but trying to apply overseas studies to our unique circumstances does not instil confidence in the community, and the one-sided consultation process is doing more harm than good to the overall image of the EPA. The decisions you make could very well determine the political future of the Labour Party and the Greens in SEQ as I believe the issue of Moreton Bay IS that big!
Yours truly,
Shane Boese
Father
Commercial Fisherman
Marine Business Owner and Operator
Concerned Moreton Bay Local
Cc: Premier Peter Beattie
Minister Mike Horan