Keep our Beaches Open   

 For the draft Management Plan released 30 July 08 follow this link
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/managing_parks_and_forests/management_plans_and_strategies/draft_byfield_area_management_plan/

To download a draft submission - Go to Download Page.  Submissions can be made until Jan 31 2009

Latest suggested submission from Cr Bill Ludwig highlighting safety issues.

Media Release: Monday, 21 April 2008

‘700 Rally To Keep  Beach Accesses Open’

An estimated 700 strong crowd gathered on Nine Mile Beach in support of the “Keep Our Beaches Open Rally” on Sunday.

 Councillor Bill Ludwig, who assisted the rally’s organising committee, said the strong show of public support reinforced the call for Government to adopt a more inclusive management approach in regard to the Three Rivers, Five Rocks, and Byfield National Park area.

“The community event was not only aimed at raising awareness about keeping beach accesses open to the community, but it was also about calling for the Government to adopt a more inclusive approach to developing a long-term management plan in partnership with the community,” Cr Ludwig.

“Unfortunately instead of Governments adequately funding and resourcing many of these important community recreational areas there has been a push to effectively lock the community out by denying practical vehicle access.”

“In July last year QPWS told LSC that they would be closing the vehicle access to the popular Three Rivers and Five Rocks beaches before Xmas.”

“A 400 strong community meeting sponsored by Council at the Yeppoon Town Hall saw that decision reversed and the community form a reference to engage with Government over the matter,” Cr Ludwig said.

Mr Jeff Winter spokesperson for CQ Off-road Club, who co-organised the rally with the Stockyard Point Progress Association, said the rally and following beach-clean-up highlighted that community groups, families and individuals really care for this unique family recreation area and wanted to have a real say in its future management.

“Governments need to stop and take the time to listen and actually work in partnership with the community instead trying to lock people out of our own back-yard,” Mr Winter said.

Organisers said the next “Keep Our Beaches Open” rally is already being planned and will be held in Rockhampton when the State Government proposed draft management plan for the area is released for public comment. 

For further information or interviews please contact:

Cr Bill Ludwig, 49397500 Mobile 0428-791792.