LITTLE SHIP CLUB July 2016 eNews

Sailing Centre of Excellence to the Redlands’ Moreton Bay North Stradbroke Island will soon be home to the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron with the Squadron in talks to set up the Australian Centre of Excellence in Sailing in Deanbilla Bay.

SIBELCO Facebook post: 24th May 2016 Today’s expected decision on the future of Sand Mining on North Stradbroke Island, Australia will have the greatest impact on the 69 Sibelco employees who call Straddie home, including the Karklis and Borey families pictured [opposite page]. Sibelco contributes $13 million in annual employment spend on the Island, consisting of 108 full time and 8 casual employees. To close down the mine in 2019 will put our workers, many of whom are multi- generational miners and highly skilled, out of a job. Not to mention the up to 300 people, according to RPS consultants, who are indirectly supported by Sibelco’s North Stradbroke Island operations.

Mayor Karen Williams said Deanbilla Bay, which is located just south of Dunwich, is a world class yachting destination and the Squadron will play an important role in backfilling the loss of sand mining to the Redlands and Stradbroke economy. “After discussions with the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron last year, I approached Council officers working on the draft North Stradbroke Island Economic Transition Plan,” Cr Williams said. “I saw Deanbilla Bay as a unique opportunity to helping the local economy transition from sand mining to Green Industry and Sports Tourism,” Cr Williams said. “The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron has been an integral part of the Bayside community for over 130 years and I’m excited to about what this could mean for the long term future of Stradbroke. “With the pressures of the withdrawal of sand mining from the economy, employment and vacancy of land, the Squadron will help support the Island to make its transition to a tourism driven economy” she said. The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron will use Deanbilla Bay as a staging ground for sailing in all forms and expects to begin regattas later this year. For more information on the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron’s initiative at Deanbilla Bay contact the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron or download this position paper. Kathleen Crees commented on 11 March 2016 I still believe that the mining industry should continue on Straddie as originally planned especially at a time when we are trying to develop infrastructure for our growing population and when a downturn is experienced with world trends which affects Australia. This isn’t the time to try brave experiments with local jobs and industries. People matter! Job security ensures that people can plan their lives with greater certainty. The people who put forward the tourist development haven’t convinced me that they have followed through a proper plan AND KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. A healthy society is one that has job security. People who wish to instigate change are usually in a superior position of security themselves and because they lack experience and imagination, have no idea how the other half lives! Many families live on the edge because of job insecurity. Schools could also help by teaching practical home management for all students. Ted Tickle commented on 01 April 2016 Mayor Mayor Karen, why do you not explain to the boating public what this development proposal means to the many boaties who use Deanbilla Bay as an overnight anchorage. Apart from being a beautiful bay destination, Deanbilla also one of the few anchorages in Moreton that offers protection from strong wind and storms. The RQYS has applied for additional mooring buoys that will occupy a large percentage of the Deanbilla Bay anchorage. These moorings will greatly reduce the number of boats that are able to anchor in the bay, whether the mooring is being used or not. I strongly object to the mooring application as control of the anchorage at Deanbilla Bay will be in the hands of RQYS and its members. This is NOT acceptable and information regarding this matter is NOT being promoted for obvious reason: the boating public will NOT approve. http://karenwilliams.com.au/media/comments/sailing-centre-of-excellence-to-the- redlands-moreton-bay http://karenwilliams.com.au/images/uploads/RQYS_DeanbillaBay.pdf

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Supplement: Facing the future of Straddie

July 2016 eNews SPECIAL

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