LITTLE SHIP CLUB July 2016 eNews

Combined Clubs and Associations (CCA) submission on RQYS proposal

Granting exclusive rights to control access and use of a significant part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park to a private and exclusive organisation would be inconsistent with and against the interests of the greater boating and general community. 2. Reduced Maritime Safety The Proposal is likely to have a significant adverse impact on maritime safety in the central/southern area of the Moreton Bay Marine Park. Deanbilla Bay is an important safe haven for recreational and other boats in strong wind and storm conditions. The Proposal would deny the general boating community unfettered access and use of a significant part of that safe haven, particularly the most protected waters in the southern section (a substantial part of which is already the subject of existing mooring rights The Proposal refers to the incidental development of intensive sailing boat racing and training activities in what are already high traffic, recreational boating waters. These facilities already exist in nearby waters such as Waterloo Bay, where the Applicant is based. The zones within which these activities are intended to be conducted as shown in the Proposal, include a large part of Horseshoe Bay, and two zones to the south of Deanbilla Bay. Horseshoe Bay regularly has several hundred pleasure vessels anchored within it and has a high level of existing waterborne recreational activity including swimming, sailing, kayaking, skiing, jet skiing and the like. Endeavouring to conduct racing activities within Horseshoe Bay at those times would not only be folly (as the presence of a large number of other vessels would be extremely inconvenient to those participating in the racing or sail training activities) but highly likely to result in collisions and injuries. Conducting similar activities in the “zones” marked in Proposal south of Deanbilla Bay, would not only be inconvenient to those travelling north or south but would also present an increased risk of collision. Similarly, conducting racing or sail training in the area indicated in the Proposal within Deanbilla Bay is highly unlikely to be practicable given the commercial traffic, particularly the barges and ferries. The risk of collision with a vehicular barge and the inconvenience to the commercial traffic is a matter which MSQ should take into consideration. 4. Inconsistency with the rights of the indigenous peoples of Stradbroke Island and Moreton Bay The local indigenous peoples have expressed significant concern and opposition to the Proposal. They have advised CCA that at no time has the Applicant consulted them in relation to the Proposal. On its face, approval of the Proposal is likely to interfere with the rights of the local indigenous peoples under their Indigenous Land Use Agreements including with respect to the proposed re-development of the Adams Beach Camping Grounds and use of the waters within Deanbilla Bay immediately in front of the Camping Grounds. exclusively granted to the Applicant). 3. Increased Risk of Marine Incidents

It would also appear to interfere with indigenous peoples’ rights over the relevant part of the sea-bed and their fishing rights. Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC), the Registered Prescribed Body Corporate under the Native Title Act 1993 which manages the recognised Native Title rights and interests of the Quandamooka people, has advised CCA that it intends to express its concerns directly to the relevant Ministers of the State. Accordingly, we do not endeavour in this Submission to address this issue in any detail. However we do express the view that any assessment of the Proposal must take into account not only the formal rights of the indigenous people under their Indigenous Land Use Agreements but also respect for their cultural beliefs and aspirations and the interests of the township in general. 5. Failure to take into account town planning and other obstacles In support of its mooring application the Applicant relies on its apparent intention to take over the adjacent land and establish an “Australian Centre of Excellence in Sailing” this year. The Proposal refers to 880 “Participants at Deanbilla 2016” and 1,630 to 1,930 “Participants at Deanbilla” in 2017 through various types of camps and courses. The land is currently zoned “commercial industry” and the majority of the land is under lease for residential purposes associated with the mine. Using the land for the purpose of a Centre of Excellence, would require a rezoning approval and a development application. This will necessitate an impact assessment including public notification and likely objections by members of the community and almost certainly QYAC. No such applications have been made. There is no mention of these pre-requisite requirements or obstacles which mean that the establishment of such a Centre of Excellence this year is (at least almost certainly) an impossibility. To this extent, the Proposal is misleading. The possible establishment of any Centre of Excellence at some future time, cannot be a relevant consideration in terms of the mooring application. In terms of any future rezoning it is questionable whether the establishment of such a centre would be the highest and best use of the land in any event. It may well be that residential development would be more appropriate and provide greater contribution to the economy of North Stradbroke Island. 6. Potential adverse environmental impact on the Marine Park The Proposal, on its face, would lead to increased boating usage of Deanbilla Bay including more boats staying overnight on the proposed moorings. Whilst the CCA does not hold itself out as environmental experts, on any reasonable view increased usage would seem likely to increase the risk of adverse environmental impacts on the waters and seabed of Deanbilla Bay. Dr Kathy Townsend, Senior Lecturer and Manager of Research and Education at the University of Queensland Moreton Bay Research Station, has advised that if the Proposal results in increased usage of Deanbilla Bay, there is a risk that this will increase the level of nutrients in the waters of that bay.

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July 2016 eNews SPECIAL

Supplement: Facing the future of Straddie