AMPTO is writing to both
the ALP and LNP with 13 questions that we would like your
parties to answer. We intend to publish the answers or lack
thereof, along with our voting recommendation, which will be
based on those answers, on the Wednesday prior to the
election as full page advertisements in the Cairns Post and
the Mackay Mercury. In addition we will email the
advertisement to our staff for their personal consideration.
The questions in no particular priority order are:
1. Crown of Thorns Starfish
GBRMPA and AIMS have confirmed a new outbreak of COTS has
commenced. Tourism operators need help to fight this pest.
What would you government do to assist? Will your government
continue the Skilling Queenslanders for Work Program to
train unemployed people as divers for this important task?
2. Skills Training
Skills shortages in the marine industry are now critical and
we need to train marine engineers and deck officers. Will
your government financially support the expansion of the GBR
Marine College in Cairns and prioritise engineer and deck
officer training?
3. Mining
The proposals to develop Greenfield sites (new ports) for
coal exportation is of major concern with two proposals, one
in Princess Charlotte Bay and one at Port Alma north of
Gladstone currently under consideration. Does your
government support these applications and the addition of
further additional Greenfield ports within the Great Barrier
Reef catchment?
4. Appointment of a Marine Tourism Person to the MPA
The marine tourism industry contributes $8 million per year
to GBRMPA through collection of the EMC yet we have little
say in the management of the marine park. Will your
government support the appointment of a person with marine
tourism expertise to the Marine Park Authority?
5. Funding of GBRMPA
The GBRMPA is significantly underfunded. The day-to-day
management program which is jointly funded by QLD
desperately needs significant additional funding. GBRMPA/QPWS
vessels are old and need replacement. What will your
government do to rectify this situation?
6. Current Green Zones in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
The Green Zones on the Great Barrier Reef have now been in
place for 10 years. While a federal government decision,
would your government look to remove, modify or rotate the
Green Zones?
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7. Tourism Island
Valuations
Land valuations on tourism islands have risen dramatically
by over 300% in some cases, yet most islands resorts due to
high labour and operating costs are just not profitable.
Will your government recognise the value of these low profit
tourism icons and provide a separate category for valuation
purposes similar to that provided for farming? If not, what
will you do to ensure the islands resorts are a viable part
of our tourism industry?
8. Multi Use Tourism Island Leases
To attract capital re-investment in tourism islands, will
your government allow sub dividing, strata title or
timeshare to be included in the lease conditions for tourism
islands resorts?
9. Waste Management Fees
Waste management fees have gone up dramatically over the
last year. Will your government reverse the increases that
have been applied to the tourism islands given that no new
services have been provided by government and no cost
savings are possible by the islands since they already
recycle, compact garbage and treat their own sewage at their
own expense? These fees are literally and simply an
increased cost with no service being provided.
10. Tourism Industry Review
Will your government continue the review of tour booking
agencies and action recommendations that will improve on the
quality of service provided to both the consumer and tourism
operators?
11. Marine Safety Queensland
Will your government establish an industry consultative
mechanism to ensure that MSQ and AMSA understand the needs
of marine tourism and fishing? The Marine Board did this
very well but since it was disbanded, there is little if any
true consultation.
12. Tourism Queensland
While other states are increasing their spend on tourism
promotion, Tourism QLD has not had an increase in base
funding for approximately 10 years. Spending on Tourism
promotion in Queensland has as a result fallen well behind
that of other states. As Tourism is the largest employer in
the state what would your government do to address this
concern?
13. Water Quality
Will your government continue to financially support change
management to farming practices and allocate funding to
ensure the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef continues
to improve? If so, what do you propose to do?
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