Qld election 2024: Miles’s $100m lure for Qld fishers

Boaties will get more ramps, better fishing and free access to stocked dams under Premier Steven Miles’s plan to win over recreational anglers.

Premier Steven Miles with Member for Pumicestone Ali King on Sunday. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Boaties will get more ramps, better fishing and free access to stocked dams under Premier Steven Miles’s plan to win over recreational anglers.

The $100m “better boating, camping and fishing plan” includes new net-free fishing zones in Moreton Bay – a move that has drawn strong criticism from commercial fishers.

Mr Miles visited Sandstone Point Hotel north of Brisbane on Sunday afternoon to announce Labor would invest $30m for new boat ramps and infrastructure and make annual passes to fish in some dams free for four years.

Paradise Dam, Enoggera Reservoir and Mt Morgan No.7 Dam will be added to the stocked dam scheme and permits to fish there will be free for four years.

“It’s all about making sure Queenslanders can catch more fish, making sure it’s easier to get out on the water, making sure there are more places to go camping,” Mr Miles said.

Mr Miles was unable to say how many new ramps would be built under the $30m Boaties’ Infrastructure Fund, nor where they would be built.

“We’ll announce the individual boat ramps between now and election day but this is a strong commitment into better facilities for boaties,” he said.

“There’s nothing more frustrating than packing the family and the boat up, getting to the ramp, having to queue to get the boat in the water and then not having somewhere to park.”

Premier Steven Miles on Sunday. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Labor will also introduce net-free fishing zones in Moreton Bay and Mary River after community consultation, as part of a $38m plan it says will give recreational fishers access to a bigger supply of fish.

Queensland Seafood Association chief executive David Bobbermen argued the plan was the latest “incremental” effort to hurt commercial fishing.

“This is a very disappointing, but perhaps not unexpected, announcement from the state Labor Party,” he said.

“Yet again they have vilified Queensland’s commercial fishers for their political gain.

“Already commercial fishers have been excluded from large areas of Moreton Bay. What they do is supply fresh, local, nutritious seafood to the South East Queensland community.”

Mr Bobbermen took aim at Labor’s claim the policy would protect dugongs, turtles and dolphins – arguing there was no evidence commercial fishers harmed them.

“To say this is to protect those species is just bullsh-t, it’s pandering to the Greens to win their votes,” he said.

Fishing Monthly Magazine publisher Steve Morgan said recreational fishing boosted mental health and provided enjoyment, satisfaction and – if you are lucky – sustenance.

“When we go fishing we like to catch fish, and net-free zones mean more fish and bigger fish not just for the good fishermen but for the average fishermen … even very average fishermen,” Mr Morgan said.

Originally published as Qld election 2024: Miles’s $100m lure for Qld fishers