Update to Maroochy River Conservation Park Plan Long Over Due

State LNP MP Fiona Simpson says better management of the Maroochy River Conservation Park  is a priority for the LNP in Government after the State Labor Government had failed to undate the 1999 Management Plan for the park.

Ms Simpson said she had been pursuing the current Minister for failing to update this plan and get community input on key issues that need to be addressed.

"The Minister for the Environment promised that a management statement for the conservation park was expected to be finalised in January 2012," Ms Simpson said.

"Yet no statement has been issued and yet another Labor promise is broken."

Ms Simpson has been petitioning the Minister on behalf of local community groups like Mudjimba Bush Care who are eagerly awaiting a decision on the future of a parcel of land at Twin Waters which the Minister has promised would be reverted back to the conservation park.  This decision was supposed to be made over the lease of this land in December last year, but still nothing has happened.

"Local residents have raised concerns with me that the park is looking neglected due to the lack of maintenance or supervision in this area, particularly around the informal car park at Nojoor Road, Twin Waters which Council plans to upgrade and include a boat ramp," Ms Simpson said.  

"I raised this with the Minister because this park needs a proper plan with funding to ensure its natural attributes are protected, while giving controlled access to the public," Ms Simpson said.

"It is vital that there be proper consultation and that there is a budget assigned to address the areas of concern."

"The last management plan was released in 1999 and hasn’t been updated since."

"The local community is tired of being ignored by this government."

“It is a disgrace that a 2011 Auditor-General report found that only 17 per cent of Queensland's protected areas have management plans in place. The Bligh government, by its own admission recently admitted the figure was 30%."

“Labor is failing to properly protect our National Parks estate because their focus is on the politics of Green Party preferences rather than real environmental outcomes."

“Only an LNP Government will ensure our National Parks are properly managed and available to be enjoyed by all Queenslanders."

“It’s time for a change, it’s time to get Queensland back on track”, Ms Simpson said.

Permanent Link: Update to Maroochy River Conservation Park Plan Long Over Due
Publish Date: 21 Feb 12

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