Liberal Candidate for Lyons and proponent for the establishment of the Georges Bay Trust Mr Jim Playsted said today a reply has now been received from Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges concerning establishment of the ‘Georges Bay Trust’ as a long term solution to the problems of maintaining safe and reliable port access to St Helens.
A public meeting convened by Jim Playsted on August 13th which was attended by fishing industry, charter operators, tourism, police, coast guard and council representatives endorsed the Georges Bay Trust proposal and asked Jim Playsted to write to Minister Sturges to inquire into the merits of this new approach to solving the problem of safe and reliable port access to the port.
Minister Sturges has rejected the Georges Bay Trust initiative out of hand. Jim Playsted said he would now send a copy of the Ministers correspondence to members of the Georges Bay Trust committee comprising fishing industry, charter operators, tourism, police and coast guard representatives which is chaired by Councillor Mr John McGiveron. Councillor McGiveron can be contacted at Break O Day Council Chambers on 63767900.
Meanwhile the barway entrance remains unsafe despite recent earthworks – the wreck of the fishing vessel ‘Anmaropa’ continues to be a hazard to mariners since September 23d and a reminder of the failure of Minister Sturges to better manage the affairs of St Helens port.
“The concept of a ‘Georges Bay Trust’ which is jointly managed by stakeholders with an annual income from a variety of sources including Local, State and federal Government could be a superior model to provide for ongoing and regular dredging maintenance which will provide the safe and reliable access which will encourage commercial operators back to the port.
While commercial and pleasure craft have increased in size and number over recent years, port traffic at St Helens has halved in the same period due to uncertainty over the bar way and Pelican Point areas of access to the bay.
“Safe access to the port is vital for local business investment and job security, concern about reliable and safe port access is a major disincentive for mariners and industry alike. This has put the local economy at serious risk,” Jim Playsted said.
“Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Jeremy Rockliff and Liberal Member for Lyons Rene Hidding are supportive of further discussion of its possibilities.”
JIM PLAYSTED STATE LIBERAL CANDIDATE FOR LYONS