jaybee
02-09-2004, 05:06 PM
Courier Mail News
Sean Parnell, state political correspondent 01sep04
THE aquaculture company behind a Moreton Bay fish farm proposal rejected by the Beattie Government may seek compensation on the basis that senior Queensland bureaucrats first suggested the project.
State Parliament was yesterday told Co-ordinator-General Paul Fennelly had rejected the Sun Aqua proposal to farm snapper and yellowtail kingfish in cages on the bay's eastern side.
Mr Fennelly, the director-general of the Department of State Development, had environmental concerns and was not satisfied Sun Aqua could adequately minimise discharge of nutrients in line with standards for other facilities in the area.
Julian Amos, a director of Sun Aqua, yesterday said he had not read Mr Fennelly's 39-page decision and was surprised the Government thought the application process was over, given the company was still finalising a supplementary report.
Mr Amos said "the goalposts have been changed" and the company would examine its legal options, given Department of Primary Industries bureaucrats, whom he would not name, first invited Sun Aqua to put forward its proposal.
"We didn't seek to develop this project, it was sought of us," Mr Amos said. "The site was chosen by the Government. The (Environmental Impact Statement) process we're following was put forward by the Government."
Queensland Conservation Council spokesman Simon Baltais welcomed Mr Fennelly's decision and said it came after a "massive community outcry" from scientists, environmentalists, fishers and local groups.
Mr Baltais said the decision should prompt the Government to develop guidelines and procedures to support parts of the aquaculture industry that might have a future in other areas of Queensland.
"We've all spent too much time, money and effort over two-and-a-half years for something which could have been avoided long ago if we had the right system in place," he said.
Premier Peter Beattie said Sun Aqua had put forward a "highly complex application" which was declared a significant project requiring the involvement of the Co-ordinator-General.
"This project promised the development of a new industry and the creation of new jobs," Mr Beattie told State Parliament.
"However, it is the responsibility of government to establish development approval frameworks that allow the correct balance between development and protection of the environment. Experience in other parts of the world has shown the folly of allowing major developments which can have an adverse impact on the environment."
Tangalooma Resort manager Trevor Hassard also welcomed the decision yesterday and called on the Government to rezone Moreton Bay to protect it from any similar proposals.
"Whales, dugongs and dolphins make the bay a drawcard for tourists from all over," Mr Hassard said.
"It's a sanctuary for marine life and over 50,000 shore birds."
Sean Parnell, state political correspondent 01sep04
THE aquaculture company behind a Moreton Bay fish farm proposal rejected by the Beattie Government may seek compensation on the basis that senior Queensland bureaucrats first suggested the project.
State Parliament was yesterday told Co-ordinator-General Paul Fennelly had rejected the Sun Aqua proposal to farm snapper and yellowtail kingfish in cages on the bay's eastern side.
Mr Fennelly, the director-general of the Department of State Development, had environmental concerns and was not satisfied Sun Aqua could adequately minimise discharge of nutrients in line with standards for other facilities in the area.
Julian Amos, a director of Sun Aqua, yesterday said he had not read Mr Fennelly's 39-page decision and was surprised the Government thought the application process was over, given the company was still finalising a supplementary report.
Mr Amos said "the goalposts have been changed" and the company would examine its legal options, given Department of Primary Industries bureaucrats, whom he would not name, first invited Sun Aqua to put forward its proposal.
"We didn't seek to develop this project, it was sought of us," Mr Amos said. "The site was chosen by the Government. The (Environmental Impact Statement) process we're following was put forward by the Government."
Queensland Conservation Council spokesman Simon Baltais welcomed Mr Fennelly's decision and said it came after a "massive community outcry" from scientists, environmentalists, fishers and local groups.
Mr Baltais said the decision should prompt the Government to develop guidelines and procedures to support parts of the aquaculture industry that might have a future in other areas of Queensland.
"We've all spent too much time, money and effort over two-and-a-half years for something which could have been avoided long ago if we had the right system in place," he said.
Premier Peter Beattie said Sun Aqua had put forward a "highly complex application" which was declared a significant project requiring the involvement of the Co-ordinator-General.
"This project promised the development of a new industry and the creation of new jobs," Mr Beattie told State Parliament.
"However, it is the responsibility of government to establish development approval frameworks that allow the correct balance between development and protection of the environment. Experience in other parts of the world has shown the folly of allowing major developments which can have an adverse impact on the environment."
Tangalooma Resort manager Trevor Hassard also welcomed the decision yesterday and called on the Government to rezone Moreton Bay to protect it from any similar proposals.
"Whales, dugongs and dolphins make the bay a drawcard for tourists from all over," Mr Hassard said.
"It's a sanctuary for marine life and over 50,000 shore birds."