21 September 2007 

The number of public moorings in the Whitsundays could be increased under a proposal released by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).

Acting Chairman Andrew Skeat said the community was invited to comment on the proposal to fund extra moorings through a partnership between the GBRMPA and private users.

The public private partnership will allow private users dedicated use of a public mooring for an agreed period of time in return for funding the installation and maintenance of the mooring.

The mooring sites have yet to be finalised and this submission process will allow participants to identify potential sites; building on previous work undertaken in this project.

However final site decision will take into consideration the protection and sustainability of the environment and likely level of use.

The idea of a private public partnership was developed after local tourism operators and community members raised concerns about the shortage of public moorings, particularly in the light of increasing demand.

The GBRMPA and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service agreed to identify ways they, and the community, could share the costs associated with the moorings’ installation and maintenance, while maximising the benefits for all users of the Whitsunday region.

The dedicated use concept was welcomed by tourism operators, recreational users and conservation groups.

David Windsor, Executive Officer of the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO), urges interested parties to provide comment on the document: " This initiative has been requested by the tourism industry and with support from the industry and the broader community, it could lead to improved access and operational certainty in the Whitsundays".

Bruce Chapman, representative of Recreation Boating, said: " I have been involved in this project since it started and I see it as a good way to provide more opportunities for safe and reliable access for recreational boaties in the Whitsundays. Right now we are looking at a way to gain better access to key sites such as Chalkies Beach on Haselwood Island, Shaw Island and Chance Bay on Whitsunday Island. I encourage everybody to seriously consider the proposal and submit comments."

Comments from the public are welcomed until 19 November this year.

View the dedicated use moorings proposal.