THE Mooloolaba Harbour entrance may look like smooth sailing due to calmer weather and a temporary dredging fix at the moment, but calls for a permanent solution and consultation continues.
State MP Fiona Simpson said:
“It’s time for action and for transparency about the plans.
“This can’t be kicked down the road and timelines stretched for years, as that threatens lives as the harbour entrance will silt again and weather will turn. Even the dredging that has been done hasn’t fixed the problem.
“After months of groundings and dangerous incidents damaging boats and reputations, and threatening lives, why isn’t there money in the budget to fix this properly?
“The Minister talks about launching consultation soon, but only $400,000 is budgeted for the harbour for dredging and bed levelling, which is lowest amount we’ve seen in several years. That’s not funding for a plan to fix the entrance. That’s also not being transparent about all the options that are being considered which address maritime safety and the environment.”
Ms Simpson said she understood stakeholders were being approached to join a reference panel, but there was no timeframe and no transparency about the process.
Ms Simpson also questioned why Transport Minister Bailey spent more time on Twitter than answering correspondence. There are 6 outstanding letters I’ve written to Minister Bailey outlining the need for urgent action on the harbour, and he hasn’t answered:
- The funding allocated for undertaking the consultation and implementation for a more permanent solution;
- The plan for a more timely and aggressive dredging program to ensure and maintain that the harbour entry is safe and reliable;
- Provision of Coastal Engineers to answer questions and engage so that the best solution which addresses maritime safety and the environment is found;
- And, the plan for a permanent solution.
I want to see action and the plan for the right solution.
