Friday 27 May 2005

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is giving the Whitsunday community the chance to have its say on a proposal for new moorings off Hook Island.

Laguna Island Adventures Pty Ltd has submitted an application to the GBRMPA for permission to install and operate eight (8) moorings in waters adjacent to the Underwater Observatory and the Wilderness Resort at Hook Island (Whitsunday Islands). The moorings will be operated in conjunction with the Resort.

Peter McGinnity, GBRMPA’s Director of Program Delivery said that public consultation and input was a significant part of the assessment process.

“It is important that we have a good understanding of the existing uses of the area to enable us to appropriately assess the proposal.

“So, we are inviting interested members of the public to provide comment back to us on the proposal, ” Mr McGinnity said.

The proposal is being advertised in local and state newspapers from Thursday 26 May 2005 and the period for public comment will close on 3 July 2005.

Once the public comment period has closed, a decision on the application will be made by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Further information on the proposal can be obtained from the applicant, Laguna Island Adventures Pty Ltd by phone 07 4940 8701, or from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s website