Media Release

KAP Leader and the Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter MP attended yet another public meeting with concerned residents on Monday July 7 to address the Mission Beach Safe Harbour facility at Clump Point.

Over 100 people attended the meeting to discuss the proposal and were unanimously opposed to the State Government’s proposal for the Clump Point Jetty as it does not address the need for safe harbour and economic recovery.

The community have been very clear about what they want and have requested numerous meetings inviting the State Minister who declined to attend the meetings.

Mr Katter secured Federal Government funding to the tune of $5.5m which was originally allocated for the purposes of safe boat anchorage and economic reconstruction post Cyclone Yasi.

“What the community wants is a rock wall (breakwater) coming out from Clump Point providing tie-up for between 25 and 60 boats, unlimited access for commercial boats with much improved protection for the existing boat ramp, extra car parking (on ocean side of present car park, smaller than the Brisbane proposal) and a small bio loo ‘toilet’ (in ahidden away position).

"The Brisbane proposal provides no tie up facility, no extra protection for vessels and berthing for only two commercial operators, we get an eyesore toilet block and a bit of an extension to the ramp.

"I am personally confident that there is sufficient money, if properly used, for 100 boats or more to safely tie up. At every meeting, big and small, the community have been adamant that they want a safe harbour and economic recovery.

“This is what the original $5.5m proposal was for, the Brisbane proposal provides neither. This raises the serious issue of misappropriation,” Mr Katter said.

Community groups believe they were not consulted in the state plans for the Mission Beach safe harbour facility.

The Mission Beach Boating Association (MBBA) is one of the community groups frustrated by the current proposals.

President of the MBBA Mr Richard Giuliany says there was no consultation with the community whatsoever.

“We had not been consulted by the State Government at all. The Government arrived on site and told us what they were going to do,” Mr Giuliany said.

"The government refused to let the boating community have any say on the development."

Mr Giuliany said the meeting was “another attempt to make the State Government and the Council see that the current plans are not what the boating community wants and that there is overwhelming lack of community support for the current plans”.

The following motions were voted on at the public meeting with unanimous support from the community.

Do you agree that approximately $8.0 million more of taxpayers’ money should be spent at the Perry Harvey Jetty, formally Clump Point Jetty in a futile attempt to make it work?
Overwhelming NO.

Do you agree that we require safe anchorage/mooring facilities at Boat Bay for both commercial and recreation vessels (including both local and visiting vessels)?
Overwhelming YES.

Do you think that the people of the Mission Beach area have been adequately listened to by the DSDIP (Qld Govt) and the local council?
Overwhelming NO.

Do you agree that both levels of government, state and local, should immediately consult with the local boating fraternity in particular, and the Mission Beach community in general, to develop safe boating harbour and facilities for all boat users before any more taxpayers funds are spent?
Overwhelming YES.

The MBBA on behalf of the concerned community of Mission Beach, are requesting a meeting with State Government to ensure that government listen to what the community want believes should happen.

Mr Katter will be raising the issue with relevant Federal Ministers.

“Clearly the $5.5m given to the State Government is being used for neither safe boating nor economic recovery, so now the ugly issue of misappropriation raises its head.

"We must ask ourselves this question, why was this decision made? The current state proposal delivers neither,” Mr Katter said.

Mr Katter praised the Mission Beach community for not rolling over and standing on their hind legs, fighting like tigers for the past 30 years to ensure that their reasonable requests are heard.