Southern Moreton Bay Marine Infrastructure Master Plan consultation

Stakeholder consultation commenced

Since the Southern Moreton Bay Marine Infrastructure Master Plan study commenced in November 2007, considerable consultation has been undertaken during 2008 with industry, community, environmental groups and councils in the study area. The project team will now conduct further consultation in Redlands and Logan to gain direct feedback regarding the marine infrastructure needs in those areas.

The three affected councils include Gold Coast, Redland and Logan city councils. Officers from each council have been consulted directly and their views, regarding planning impacts the master plan may have in their respective areas, have been taken into consideration.

Steering committee established

A whole of government steering committee was established to direct the project with .representatives from:

• Department of Infrastructure and Planning;
• Queensland Treasury;
• Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation;
• Department of Transport and Main Roads; and
• Department of Environment and Resource Management.

The committee met on 15 occasions to work through the:

• scope of the study
• data and information to be included in the study
• methodology underpinning the assessment process;
• assessment of the Multi-Criteria Analysis applied
• interpretation of the information collected from industry, environmental groups and the boating community
• development of the draft plan for public display.

Economic growth in study area

The consultation process paid particular attention to the current and anticipated needs of the marine and tourism industries, recognising both are vital to continued economic growth in the study area.

Key industry stakeholders

The Institute of Business Leaders has assisted in linking the study team to the key industry representatives on the Gold Coast to provide advice and valuable business insight into developing a master plan that will assist the marine industry to become strong and competitive. This most valuable interaction with industry was to enable the committee to consider all aspects of development including business viability. The consultation process is still underway.

Assessment process to determine investigation areas

The first phase of the project assessed specific engineering and environmental constraints across the study area to determine broad investigation areas. These areas were further defined on the advice of the steering committee and a very detailed investigation was undertaken in these defined locations.

Multi-Criteria Analysis for development locations

The detailed investigation involved undertaking a Multi-Criteria Analysis to determine to best locations for mixed–use commercial marinas and recreational marinas across the study area.

The Multi-Criteria Analysis assessed numerous sets of environmental data, strategic policy information, engineering capability, social considerations and the cost of establishing new infrastructure including dredging requirements. Values and weightings were assigned to these evaluation criteria used to establish the areas to be identified in the draft master plan for marina developments.

The steering committee undertook to identify locations based on the highest and best use of marine infrastructure and not to replicate facilities down the coast. On the basis of that analysis, a number of areas were selected and subjected to further debate within the steering committee before the final locations were agreed for the draft master plan.

Linking dredging needs with land-based development

The very important issue of dredging has been assessed through a project jointly-funded by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Department of Infrastructure and Planning .The findings of the Gold Coast Waterways Access Needs Study are to be encompassed in the draft master plan to ensure continuity of development in the study area. The provision of water access is critical to marine projects and as such, must be tied into the implementation of the master plan.

Assessment of other marine infrastructure

Other considerations encompassed in the master plan include the need for associated marine infrastructure such as boat ramps, jetties, pontoons and water-based destinations for recreational boating enthusiasts. It is the intention of the master plan to highlight the importance of providing recreational opportunities away from the main channels in an effort to reduce congestion and improve safety. This component of the study was assessed by the steering committee utilising expertise from councils and the findings of the consultation process.

Public display of the master plan for broader community consultation

At completion of the consultation process, a draft master plan will be prepared for consideration by the Queensland Government. If the draft is endorsed, a public display of the master plan will occur across all three cities to provide an opportunity for the general public to provide further comment on the proposed plan. The display will include a series of maps explaining the various steps in the assessment process and a methodology document detailing how the assessment was undertaken.

Government endorsement for the draft master plan

A draft master plan will then be prepared and government endorsement sought. The master plan document will outline the mechanism for the plan to be administered and will indicate its authority within the South East Queensland Regional Plan, Coastal Management Plan and the North East Gold Coast Land Use study.