LITTLE SHIP CLUB July 2016 eNews

Combined Clubs and Associations (CCA) submission on RQYS proposal

10. Conclusion The CCA submits that approving the Proposal would be of no benefit to anyone other than the Applicant and its members. Further, it would not be in the public interest because of the: – 10.1. loss of access and use of a large proportion of Deanbilla Bay to members of the general boating community; 10.2. adverse effect on maritime safety due to the loss of a protected anchorage for members of the general boating community; 10.3. increased risk of marine incidents arising out of the racing and training activities associated with the proposed Centre of Excellence; 10.4. failure to take into account the rights and interests of the indigenous peoples of Stradbroke Island and Moreton Bay; 10.5. lack of consideration of town planning and other obstacles; 10.6. environmental risks including the possibility of an increase in the propensity for outbreaks of Calurpa taxifolia and lyngbya ; 10.7. potential detrimental affect on the oyster industry of More- ton Bay; 10.8. likelihood that approval will lead to other Clubs and organisations seeking similar exclusive rights to other parts of the Moreton Bay Marine Park or elsewhere (as the Applicant has publicly stated it intends to do); and 10.9. absence of any evidence that the membership of the Applicant actually support the Proposal. The CCA’s submission is that the Proposal should be rejected.

The Applicant on the other hand has in its announcement to members on 19 May 2016, made it clear that if it comes to pass that other anchorages around Moreton Bay become mooring only areas in the future, it “will whenever possible apply for… [its]… share of those moorings…….” 9. Lack of support for the Proposal of members of the Applicant Within the CCA there are a large number of members of the Applicant. Those members involved in putting together this submission have made enquiries with a number of other members of the Applicant as to their interest in and support for the Proposal. All of the members of the Applicant who have been approached regarding the issue have expressed either a complete lack of interest in the Proposal or more commonly, strong opposition to it. Whilst the Applicant has announced to its membership that it has secured the 10 moorings within the existing Category 3 designated Mooring Area in Deanbilla Bay, it has, so far as can be established, had no consultations with its membership in general about the Proposal. Nor did it make any announcements to its members in relation to the Proposal until 19 May 2016, after the opposition to the Proposal of a number of other clubs around the Bay was made public at a meeting of the Queensland Recreational Boating Council Inc. the week before. It is submitted that whether the Applicant has the support of its membership in general for the Proposal should be a relevant consideration for MSQ in considering the Proposal. The Proposal contains no evidence of such support by the Applicant’s members in general.

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July 2016 eNews SPECIAL

Supplement: Facing the future of Straddie