Labor promise: a step closer to a new barge service from Scarborough to Moreton Island

A RE-ELECTED Palaszczuk Government will spend $4 million to deliver a Moreton Island barge landing site north of Brisbane, as long as one key condition is met.

A re-elected Palaszczuk Government will spend $4 million to deliver a barge landing site at Scarborough Boat Harbour, pending a positive business case outcome.

State Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath said Labor had already committed $400,000 to complete the business case by the end of December.

The business case will consider a range of technical and associated issues, such as the potential for the barge ramp to be located outside the harbour boundary and inside the Moreton Bay Marine Park.

“In September, a passenger-only ferry service started operating from the Redcliffe Jetty to Moreton Island, which was welcome news for locals and visitors alike,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“However there’s no doubt that many more still fondly remember the Combi Trader, and would love a local option for getting their car over to Moreton.”

National Parks Minister and Labor candidate for Murrumba Steven Miles said the former LNP State Government released a tender in 2014 for a barge service from Moreton Island, without a landing site on the mainland.

“The successful tenderer never secured a suitable site to launch from, so that tender lapsed,” he said.

“A re-elected Palaszczuk Government will combine the two proposals – a barge service to Moreton Island, and a launching site in the Scarborough area,” he said.

Mr Miles said the tender would be jointly-managed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing.

Whales show off at Bulwer, at Moreton Island.

Labor candidate for Bancroft Chris Whiting said a Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism report (MBRIT) projected that visitor numbers in the region would be 3.6 million by 2019.

“Our natural environment is a key drawcard to the region, and Moreton Island is a jewel in the crown – anything we can do to increase access to it is great news for jobs and the local economy,” Mr Whiting said.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland welcomed today’s announcement.

“Everywhere I go, people ask me when will we see the Moreton Island barge back in Redcliffe and I’m absolutely ecstatic to say with today’s announcement we are definitely one step closer to seeing a landing site re-established at Scarborough,” Cr Sutherland said.

“I thank our Local Redcliffe MP Yvette D’Ath for her work, not only in securing the feasibility study, but also the $4 million to undertake the capital works necessary to re-establish the barge landing spot.”

Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism CEO Shane Newcombe said today’s announcement was a huge win for the region’s growing tourism industry.

“87 per cent of the people employed in our local tourism industry are locals and anything we can do to work together with local and State Government to grow new tourism product, visitor experiences and support economic development in our region ultimately means more local jobs for local people,” Mr Newcombe said.

“We are already seeing well over three million visitors to our region every year and we are well on our way to hit our target of just under four million visitors over the next 12 months.

“Redcliffe and the Moreton Bay Region are in the box seat for ongoing tourism growth with one of the world’s most pristine sand islands right on our doorstep. It makes good sense to open that experience up to local residents for camping, fishing and swimming while sharing this stunning location with people from all over the world.”

More to come.