Media Release: Christmas Boost for Boaties

[Mark Robinson MP]

MEDIA RELEASE

JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Honourable John McVeigh

Christmas boost for Queensland boaties

Queensland’s boaties and anglers have received an early Christmas present, with the Newman Government announcing the first round of projects funded through the $120 million Marine Infrastructure program.

Premier Campbell Newman, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister John McVeigh and Member for Lytton Neil Symes made the announcement while inspecting Manly Boat Harbour – the site of three of the projects to be delivered under the program.

“The funding will improve marine infrastructure including boat ramps, walkways and pontoons across Queensland,” Mr Newman said.

“The Department of Transport and Main Roads will deliver the in-water works, with councils to provide the landside facilities, road access and parking.”:-X

“Today’s announcement ticks off another project from our current six-month action plan.”

The first round will include more than 30 projects across the state.

“Recreational boating and fishing is vital to the state’s tourism industry, and this funding will further boost one of the government’s four economic pillars,” Mr McVeigh said.

“Upgrading these facilities will generate significant benefits for Queensland’s 750,000 recreational fishers and thousands of boaties.”

Neil Symes said the Manly Boat Harbour was one of Queensland’s most popular marine facilities providing access to Moreton Bay and its many islands.

“This funding will allow vital upgrades to improve access for local boaties to one of the most popular waterways in Queensland,” Mr Symes said.

“Work will begin in the New Year to install new floating walkways on the northern and southern boat ramps, as well as widening both ramps to reduce congestion for boaties.

“We’re also going to dredge the harbour entrance as part of our vital rolling four-year program to improve access.”

Other Marine Infrastructure Fund projects to be funded in the first round include:

·######## reconstruction of# boat ramp with floating walkway at Cooktown

·######## replacement of boat ramp at Gilbert Street in Karumba

·######## new ramps and pontoons in Ross River, Townsville

·######## upgraded boat ramp and floating walkway at the Conway Road boat ramp in the Proserpine River

·######## dredging in Rosslyn Bay boat harbour

·######## a new ramp and floating walkway at Burrum Heads in the Wide Bay Burnett region

·######## floating walkways for the two ramps in Mooloolaba.

[ENDS] 16 October 2012


Media Contact: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500

[tunaticer]

When do we hear news about changing the greenzones and their rules as promised?

[Feral]

When do we get the fish stocking funding back, funds for support of the 500 hundred odd fishcare volunteers you sacked, our rego reduced as the levy is no longer used for recreational boating support.

Oh thats right, when we vote you out in 29 months..........

[finga]

Is there going to be an increase in trailer only parking in the carpark as well?
Is there anyway to ban people from fishing off these walkways?
Is it possible to place a 'code of conduct' at ramps to try and solve a lot of problems of people doing the wrong thing?

Good to see a start happening though :)

[TREVELLY]

I do hope the govt does some homework and doesn't do a complete botch of the floating pontoons at the Mooloolaba ramps as the NSW Govt did with the Roseville ramp floating pontoon spending a bucket load of money and making a real bottleneck for boaties.

I will post up comments from users on NSW ramp asap so it can hopefully be a lessons learnt rather than a mistake repeated - hopefully we are the smarter state!

[Mike Delisser]

Good to finally see (sorry, hear) about some giving to anglers instead of the taking from anglers we have seen so far. I'd like to see something for freshwater though as they have been the big losers since the LNP won Government. Also nothing yet for land based anglers which make up well over half of Qld anglers. Is there anything planned for these 2 large groups of anglers MP Mark?


Opps, may have spoke to soon, I've just been told Qld freshwater anglers have just recieved a rise in their SIP licence cost, is this true Mark? I'm not sure as mine isn't due for another 7 months.

If Mark is reluctant, can anyone else confirm or refute this increase?

[Apollo]

...........
Opps, may have spoke to soon, I've just been told Qld freshwater anglers have just recieved a rise in their SIP licence cost, is this true Mark? I'm not sure as mine isn't due for another 7 months.

If Mark is reluctant, can anyone else confirm or refute this increase?

Mike

I got told by a few of the FB boys about a month ago that the SIP has gone up.

[STUIE63]

So all the upgrades down south are they actually new announcements or just re announcements like the Townsville one is. The Townsville one has been announced at least three times previously

[finga]

So all the upgrades down south are they actually new announcements or just re announcements like the Townsville one is. The Townsville one has been announced at least three times previously
That's one thing I did notice. There were no times given for the start (in the new year was mentioned but it's a new year for about 12 and 1/2 months from now) and finish of any work.
And look at the date at the bottom of the prepared letter. 16th of October. It's 2 months old.

You'd hope they do not start this project right now. Wouldn't that cause havoc over Christmas?

It would be nice to see a list of projects, their time frames and their cost.

And remember.....we cannot assume anything nor take anything for granted. Unless it is stated this is happening on the (blah, blah date) then it may not happen and even then it may not happen. Is the person who authorised that media release authorised to do that media release?
We've seen it all before remember

[finga]

I've just been told Qld freshwater anglers have just recieved a rise in their SIP licence cost, is this true Mark? I'm not sure as mine isn't due for another 7 months.

If Mark is reluctant, can anyone else confirm or refute this increase?


Mike

I got told by a few of the FB boys about a month ago that the SIP has gone up.
How much was it? It's $37.30 according to the website
https://www.smartservice.qld.gov.au/services/permits/fishing/apply;jsessionid=15xt8wzliteyo

[Junk Hard]

How about some cleaning tables at some of the popular ramps?

[Giveitacrack]

A floating pontoon at Pinkenba ramp would be nice considering it is one the busiest ramps on the northside of bne.The tides and wind make it fun even for a small tinnie.

[Mike Delisser]

How much was it? It's $37.30 according to the website
https://www.smartservice.qld.gov.au/services/permits/fishing/apply;jsessionid=15xt8wzliteyo

I'm told it's a 3% increase. How come MP Mark didn't post up the press release about that? You know until the LNP took to freshwater anglers with an axe that price would have probably received support from some groups. Worth asking why the increase? Labor did raise it 12 months ago, the 1st price rise in almost 20 years. Now the LNP raise it again so soon, and up 3% when the CPI went up 1.5%. Why? What's the plan? Do they have a plan?

[Mike Delisser]

Opps.....double post

[Mike Delisser]

A floating pontoon at Pinkenba ramp would be nice considering it is one the busiest ramps on the northside of bne.The tides and wind make it fun even for a small tinnie.


I know this has been looked at more than once. I think there was safety issues to do with the speed of the current there pushing smaller poats under the pontoons. IMO What it needs is a couple of rock groynes and the ramp running parallel to the shore, like Clontarf.

[TheRealAndy]

When do we get the fish stocking funding back, funds for support of the 500 hundred odd fishcare volunteers you sacked, our rego reduced as the levy is no longer used for recreational boating support.

Oh thats right, when we vote you out in 29 months..........

Aint going to happen I reckon. Take a look at the latest response the ePetitions: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/apps/EPetitions_qld/Responses/1964-12.pdf

[TREVELLY]

Guys please do not ruin Mooloolaba boat ramps as these have done in NSW - (as compiled by Andy from Downrigger Shop):-

Roseville boat ramp is within Garigal National Park, in Middle Harbour:



It services a large area of the North Shore and the Peninsula and – judging by online fishing forum posts – is even the boat ramp of choice for many living in Sydney’s western suburbs.

Roseville ramp is directly administered by the National Parks & Wildlife Service. That government agency is charged with environmental protection rather than boating facility management. The boat ramp has been subject to an endless stream of complaints on fishing forums and social media due to issues including:
The inappropriate angle for optimum boat launching:
The inability of the ramp to meet demand on busy days;
The poor maintenance of internal access roads, which feature gigantic pot holes;
The pitiful lighting, with a tree planted beneath the light reducing its beam width;

High hopes were held for improvement when, earlier this year, ramp signage announced that the facility would undergo a $1m overhaul. It was assumed by most that the well known problems would be addressed, particularly the primary issue being heavy congestion on the narrow ramp. Instead, the ramp has been dramatically worsened. Firstly, the new pontoon:

The biggest problem is obviously the (3 metre wide) pontoon on the ramp. It really has to go. I think any improvements to it in its current position will only have a marginal improvement to improve the flow and capacity. It is a modular unit and could be repositioned off to the side of the ramp. Some points against the pontoon in its current position:

Capacity decrease - 4 lanes to 3 is a 25% reduction in capacity on one of Sydney's busiest ramps.

Pedestrian safety - Pedestrians (often kids) are dropped off at the pontoon and are forced to make their way across the area where trailers are being reversed. Vision is limited reversing a trailer (often with a 4WD) and the kids can't be seen. This is a similar situation to kids being run over in their driveways by parents reversing cars. One of the first tenets of pedestrian safety is segregating pedestrians from traffic.



Makes reversing difficult if using the lanes next to the pontoon - Usually backing a trailer requires some minor corrections. Having the pontoon running the full length of the ramp leaves no room for these corrections without hitting it. Especially when backing an empty trailer when the trailer is on the slope and the car is on the flat. There is a time when the trailer can't be seen. This is not usually a problem on an open ramp because you can see the trailer again well before you reach any vehicles launching/retrieving at the water.

Next, the pontoon itself:

When we used Roseville last Saturday I noticed that there was quite a difference in the height of the pontoons. They used to be below gunwale height which made it easier getting into and out of the boat. They need to be dropped about 10 - 15 cms. They should also get rid of the cleats on the ramp pontoon which are nearest to the ramp, and only have cleats at the end of the ramp. This could ease congestion / ramp rage during summer. Last suggestion have a ranger on duty during peak times to direct traffic and stop people getting their boats ready in the turning bay or on the ramp.

Thirdly, the poor landscaping. This giant sandstone block has been placed at a pinch point to impede access and, as a result, is covered in dings and paint scrapes from cars:

Next, the passenger pontoon:
Another question on the pontoon on the Eastern side that was replaced. What did we gain by that? It is moved a bit further off shore but is the same size! There is no increase to capacity and that is what the ramp badly needed. In fact that's all it really needed to ease the congestion so we weren't waiting in a queue to drop a driver off to get the trailer.

These poor decisions guarantee ramp rage, this summer. In fact, that’s happening now:
XXX rang to say his grandson nearly got into a punch-up at Roseville this week. Some tool couldn't get his motor to start so left his boat tied up to the inside (probably means southern side) of the pontoon. Just as some newbie decides to first-time launch a big boat. Result? Ramp locked up, words exchanged and blows narrowly avoided.

So what’s to be done? The immediate priority is safety. Whether it be addressing the likelihood of a child being run over this summer or the fist fights that are guaranteed to occur. The new pontoon must be moved 10 metres south, attached to the shore in front of the fish cleaning table, thereby increasing rather than impeding the boat ramps throughput. And in future, and for other boat ramps, the Parks & Wildlife Service needs to consult with those affected by their decisions. None was made, the plan was announced as a fait accompli:

Given their reputation for lack of consultation, the only way that will happen is by a recommendation from this Inquiry
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As to Roseville ramp, and our many readers who use that facility. I have a request. If you’re down there this summer and see heavy launch/retrieve congestion, with cross words or worse, please take a pic or two for me? And send by e-mail. Long experience proves there is no agency less likely to admit a mistake than the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (Head Office at Hurstville, that is.) But with enough documentation, I can progress this further with either the Minister for Ports or the news media.

[finga]

I'm told it's a 3% increase. How come MP Mark didn't post up the press release about that? You know until the LNP took to freshwater anglers with an axe that price would have probably received support from some groups. Worth asking why the increase? Labor did raise it 12 months ago, the 1st price rise in almost 20 years. Now the LNP raise it again so soon, and up 3% when the CPI went up 1.5%. Why? What's the plan? Do they have a plan?
Yes. Why the increase when the serviced provided by the license fee have been wiped out of existence.
I wonder who the person was who had the time to sign on the dotted line for that?
I wonder if that same person would have time to sign on the dotted line for one line per person in green zones?
And your right. People may not object too much to a price increase if they can see a return. If restocking was given a huge boost (not $10,000 between all the dams but $10,000 each) then a 3% increase may well be welcomed.


How about some cleaning tables at some of the popular ramps?
Actually I see a problem with cleaning tables adjacent to ramps.
How many people would come in and starting cleaning fish leaving their vessel sitting at the ramp or pontoon.
A short distance away from the ramp so people have to get their vessel out of the water and away from the ramp would be good.

So what is the time frame for all the projects in the media release?

[Gazza]

$35 ----> $37.30 = 6.6% increase

[Steeler]

So does that increase qualify as a non core porkie pie ?.

[finga]

So does that increase qualify as a non core porkie pie ?.

Same as the no increase in registration fees. They haven't increased the registration fees either (see terms and conditions below





unless you fall into the many categories that are exempt from the registration price freeze that's in the fine, fine print. There seems to be only privately registered vehicles of a certain type and weight that have had a registration price freeze. Trailers, boats and everything else has had an increase

[Steeler]

Bloody fine print, don't ya hate it !.

[rayken1938]

When the prev government announced the sip increase last year they said that it would be increased in line with the cost of living index. Looks like they have exceeded this.
As a member of a few stocking groups that stock dams that belong to the SIP scheme I will not complain about the small increase .
However I really feel for the groups that do not and never can belong to the SIP scheme who have had the rug pulled out from under them.
What does the lnp have planned for the groups that stock the rivers and streams?
Cheers
Ray

[Mike Delisser]

$35 ----> $37.30 = 6.6% increase

Labor raised it from $35 to $36.05 just over a year ago, the LNP has now raised it again from $36.05 to $37.30.


When the prev government announced the sip increase last year they said that it would be increased in line with the cost of living index. Looks like they have exceeded this.
As a member of a few stocking groups that stock dams that belong to the SIP scheme I will not complain about the small increase .
However I really feel for the groups that do not and never can belong to the SIP scheme who have had the rug pulled out from under them.
What does the lnp have planned for the groups that stock the rivers and streams?
Cheers
Ray

That stocking was to be covered by the new Qld rec fishing licence (the licence the LNP ruled out before the election then 1 month later tried shopping it around fishing groups).
If it doesn't resurface again soon I would bank on a state wide freshwater licence. That was also shopped around, the prob with that is we'd need an absolute massive increase in new SIP licence holders for the impoundments not to go backwards.
Cheers

[Mark Robinson MP]

Is there going to be an increase in trailer only parking in the carpark as well?
Is there anyway to ban people from fishing off these walkways?
Is it possible to place a 'code of conduct' at ramps to try and solve a lot of problems of people doing the

Good to see a start happening though :)

Wrt manly, I will take it up with Neil Symes, member for Lytton as he is the local MP. May be after Christmas before I get a reply, but I will try.
Mark

[hooknpull]

There is still plenty more questions waitin for you to answer...

[WalrusLike]

I was at Moololaba with my boat. I figured with so many boats everywhere on home pontoons there would be at least a few options to fuel up.

Unbelievably for such a boating Mecca, there is only one place to get unleaded fuel... the fishermans co-op.

Apparently the EPA shut down any others. No more nonsense like that please.... how about letting some private enterprise fill that niche.

[Horse]

Manly badly needs an upgrade. It will be interesting to see how they do it. The biggest issue is the small footprint left behind after DERM built its Taj Mahal where the ramp upgrade should have gone. The Derm building should have been located in the boat passage area.
Hopefully they go through some extensive consultation process as many "upgrades" have made ramps less user friendly and resulted in reduced capacity

[Moonlighter]

Manly badly needs an upgrade. It will be interesting to see how they do it. The biggest issue is the small footprint left behind after DERM built its Taj Mahal where the ramp upgrade should have gone. The Derm building should have been located in the boat passage area.
Hopefully they go through some extensive consultation process as many "upgrades" have made ramps less user friendly and resulted in reduced capacity

Hi Horse

I take it that you are making yourself available for consultation rather than leaving it to someone else?? Its easy to criticise, a bit harder to actually do something constructive.....

When the Raby Bay ramp upgrade was announced, i got off my fat arse and contacted the council, got onto the right staff members/engineer, made arrangements to get a copy of the draft plans, made the time to get together with a few knowledgeable friends to review them and then put our thoughts back to the Council officer, who was actually very surprsed and pleased that we had taken the time. They picked up nearly all of our concerns and modified the design as a result.

Im not blowing my own trumpet by telling you this, and i am only having a tongue in cheek crack at you, but i want to make the point that i see lots of people on here bagging Govt, Councils and everyone in between but rarely does anyone actually do anything productive to make things better.

If more poeple actually did something other than whinge and whine, then i am sure we would all have less to complain about. What is the other saying ... Something along the lines of ...."all it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"

So, how about it? Are you and others going to step up to the batting crease on this specific issue, or will you stay sitting up there on the hill throwing cans at the passers-by?

Cheers

Grant

[Gazza]

Im not blowing my own trumpet by telling you thisI know your not m8

BUT , what was wrong? , and what improvement(s) did you(s) help implement ??
May help others as an "e.g."

[Gazza]

Labor raised it from $35 to $36.05 just over a year ago, the LNP has now raised it again from $36.05 to $37.30.

That stocking was to be covered by the new Qld rec fishing licence (the licence the LNP ruled out before the election then 1 month later tried shopping it around fishing groups).
If it doesn't resurface again soon I would bank on a state wide freshwater licence. That was also shopped around, the prob with that is we'd need an absolute massive increase in new SIP licence holders for the impoundments not to go backwards.
CheersThanks Mike ..... we kicked those labor barstools to the kerb...for doing that shit ;D

"the" LNP is directly increasing "costs to Recreationally FW Fish" .. reducing services....hmmm

[Moonlighter]

I know your not m8

BUT , what was wrong? , and what improvement(s) did you(s) help implement ??
May help others as an "e.g."

Amongst the improvements adopted were simple things like reshaping the kerb near the ramp to give a better angle for backing, more single car parks for visitors/crew who meet people at the ramp, ensuring that the ramp was designed to take a pontoon in future, ensuring that a drain adjacent to the ramp below HW was dealt with, and i could go on. We also got improved rigging areas for both the existing and new ramps.

You have to remember that sometimes the Parks people in Councils end up dealing with boat ramps, and they know stuff all about the practicalities of designing a car park and ramp to accommodate the weekend wallies who struggle to back a trailer straight, let alone round a corner.

So the engineers who end up having to sort it out value having some external input so they can tell the Parks people where to shove ........

But thats all really beside the point. The point is to make the effort to do something, and to engage with the staff in a respectful way. Who knows, i could have found nothing wrong with the design.

Its too late once it is built. Much harder then t get things changed. Plus, it gets the staff used to seeking input.

That Council officer has called me twice since then about boating facilities to get my thoughts! Would never have happened if i hadn't made the effort and approached things positively with him.

I am happy to deal with Raby Bay because i use it all the time and know it well. I rarely use Wynnum, so someone who does, or several of you, need to step up.

So, are we all still sitting on the hill, or have we got the pads on, gloves ready, protector in, ready to go out to bat?

Cheers!

[finga]

So much for the consultation process then huh.
It seems we can save a mega buck on projects and do away with the consultation process and just ask some locals who use the facility an awful lot.
Why do we pay for consultants if they seem to stuff it up a lot? What's their purpose?

[TREVELLY]

Finga I think you know the answer to that.

The consultants prepare the plans with lighting, draining, access etc and ensure it has the correct details.

Input is purely ideas to make the plan better not the actual preparation of the plans and ensuring it is compliant with regulations.

Input can be 10% of the ideas making up the final plan it is not the do all and end all as Moonlighter clearly put it I thought.

Anyway here is what I reckon would work at Mooloolaba with the pontoons - similar to what QLD Govt added to Rosslyn Bay ramp where the pontoon is to the side of the ramp. Also no tie off points or tie off allowed until at the end of the pontoon and around the corner to keep the ramp functional and not have clowns tie off blocking the ramp.

Please please please do not put the pontoon in the middle of the ramps!!!

87275

[lethal098]

Why not look to increase the funding to the VMR and Coastguard Operations to provide vital Rescue equipment for boaties,

A lot of these groups are doing it hard and its about time the government looked at them as part of their Emergency Services, They do more rescues than any other yet they still have to fundraise all of their money to keeps their boats ready and operational at a moments notice. Go down to one of the groups on a weekend and see what they actually do and how hard we have to fight for every dollar.