Council correspondence

From: keithdouglas@marineactiongroup.com Subject: Tipplers Date: 27 November 2009 11:48:50 AM To: division9@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division11@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division8@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, gbrown@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division10@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division12@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division7@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division4@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division14@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division5@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, mayor@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division13@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division1@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division2@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division3@goldcoast.qld.gov.au TO: Mayor & Councilors Tipplers has been an iconic destination for boat owners for decades. Its closure by the Gold Coast City Council has disappointed and angered many people and they are far from appeased and ambivalent: In fact they are angry and want something done about it. In addition there are many small business operators such as charter boat operators who have been severely affected financially by the closure. These business operators, the Gold Coast Marine Industry and boat owners in general will welcome the reopening of Tipplers. However activities such as playing ping-pong or pool are not what boat owners are seeking. Even barbecues don't fit into the expectations of boat owners who in the past have traveled to Tipplers to enjoy lunch at a reasonable cost and to have a cold drink be it alcoholic or not while the children had a swim in the pool. This was something that people cherished in this idyllic setting. This was the Tipplers experience! Reports that there were problems with drunkenness amongst patrons are simply not factual. Smaller boats do not have toilet facilities so a stopover at Tipplers during the day was the norm. The importance of boating destinations was well documented in the submission to Council by Marine Queensland's Charles Dickson. The Marine Action Group endorses these comments. A copy of this submission is attached for your reference. It should be noted that the Tipplers area has been sand mined in the 1960's and the vegetation is re-growth. The commercial lease area is not environmentally significant and it has been suggested that Council's purchase of a commercial lease that operated for the purpose of tourism with monies that were raised by levies for the purchase of acquiring significant bushland is questionable. Environmental education: The Marine Action Group does not support the concept of an environmental hub at Tipplers - we think such activities would be more appropriate at and adjacent to Couran Cove where there are areas of environmental significance. Couran Cove has the necessary infrastructure in place to accommodate day trippers and students and we believe that the existing boardwalk area should be promoted as a tourist destination and that Council should liaise with Couran Cove management to develop and pursue its ideas on environmental education. It is doubtful that the lease area would qualify for an Environmental Park status when it is re-growth that has appeared after sand mining. Marine hub for safety, training and Boat Club: The re-establishment of a facility to provide the amenity that "boaties" expect at Tipplers is essential not only for the benefit of individuals like ourselves but for the wellbeing of the hundreds of marine businesses that reply upon consumers who want to spend time on the water including operators of tourist charter boats. Tipplers has been a very important part of the boating amenity due to its sheltered anchorage, food and beverage facilities, toilet facilities and let's not forget the swimming pool where the children could have some fun while their parents relaxed. There can be no argument that justifies taking these facilities away and it is important that Councilors understand the benefits of having these services available at Tipplers. The Marine Action Group has sought to take a long-term view as to what steps must now be taken to provide the best future for boating, fishing and diving. Waterways management (including dredging), reef management (including artificial reef programs), the establishment of a Boat Club facility at Tipplers and the implementation of training/safety programs are priority issues. The number of boats (including personal water craft) is continually increasing and with the most conservative population growth estimates, it is clear that far more attention will need to be given to safety awareness on the water and the implementation of training programs for people new to boating as well as "Ride Safe" programs for new and existing PWC users. Training and safety programs offer many benefits and will ultimately result in a better experience for everybody on the water. The establishment of a Boat Club facility on Tipplers under the umbrella of Marine Queensland would provide the perfect opportunity for education and safety training as well as the F&B facilities that "boaties", tourists and day tripping ratepayers alike expect. With boat registrations heading towards 30,000 on the Gold Coast alone and a further 40,000 registered vessels on the southside of Brisbane/Ipswich that are trailered to our area, it is easy to understand that a dedicated facility at Tipplers would provide valuable services to the boating community. After consultation with a wide cross section of industry and boating experts, the proposal to develop a Boat Club facility at Tipplers has been enthusiastically supported. The Marine Action Group is asking the Gold Coast City Council to embrace this proposal and enter into dialogue at the earliest opportunity to discuss the steps that need to be taken to establish the proposed facility. We believe that this proposal provides the best outcome for the marine industry, tourism, consumers on the water and more particularly ratepayers. Our group met with the Mayor and Council Officers on 13th November 2009 and we were led to believe that Council would embrace our proposal. Media reports since have caused considerable alarm within our group as to Council's intentions. We are aware and very sure that public opinion is on our side and we have refrained from involving the mainstream media so far in the knowledge that any reporting will be extremely critical of the Council. An undertaking was also given at the meeting that there would be no further demolition work carried out other than what was absolutely necessary. Support for our proposal is an opportunity for the Council to be seen to be taking positive steps in the interests of: - boating safety and boating enjoyment - the Marine Industry which is in the process of emerging from a difficult period - assisting tourism operators who have suffered financially through Council's acquisition of Tipplers - enabling a better outcome for the City's finances We seek the opportunity to discuss this proposal with each Councilor to ensure that our vision for Tipplers is clearly understood. Best regards, Keith Douglas M: 0419 650 091 on behalf of the Marine Action Group www.marineactiongroup.com From: Keith Douglas [mailto:keithdouglas@marineactiongroup.com] Sent: Friday, 20 November 2009 12:05 To: Division1; Division2; Division3; Division4; Division5; division6@goldcoast.qld.gov.au; Division7; Division8; Division9; Division10; Division11; Division12; Division13; Division14; MAYOR Subject: Recording our opposition to jet ski ban proposal 20 November 2009. Dear Mayor and Councillors, The Marine Action Group urges all Councillors to defer any decisions that will restrict the use of personal water craft (jet skis) or the launching of personal water craft (jet skis) in any area on the Gold Coast until such time as proper consultation is carried out with the marine industry, regulators and consumers. If such consultation is carried out properly, it will be apparent that a ban is not the appropriate solution to the reported noise problem. There are existing by-laws that can be enforced without the need for any changes and in addition there is also the opportunity for self-regulation and education programs. These are the avenues that need to be pursued - not draconian measures that will have adverse affects on local businesses through discouraging the tourism spend of personal watercraft users and potentially cause a variety of other problems. From a safety viewpoint, concentrating jet skis into other areas will increase the risk of accidents in these areas, which in turn increases demands for banning personal water craft. This is not a desirable course of action and if a serious accident was to occur, the blame may well be levelled at Council due to its own actions. Traffic congestion on the roads on a fine Sunday in the northern Gold Coast areas is a problem. Last Sunday afternoon there was a queue of cars from the Sundale Bridge right to The Spit. Pushing more traffic in this direction makes no sense at all and these boat ramps are already overcrowded at weekends. There’s more than enough ramp rage now without further aggravating the problem by forcing more craft onto already overcrowded facilities. Jet ski owners pay a registration fee as well as a separate licence fee. Until these water craft are deemed to be illegal in Queensland, we believe the Gold Coast City Council is overstepping it's authority. The closure of Tipplers by the Gold Coast City Council over the past few months and it's reluctance to consider any similar or licenced amenity to replace it remains a source of concern to the whole marine sector. We respectfully remind Council that they have been elected by the public to carry out the will of the public. It is our view that if proper community consultation had have been carried out, the Tipplers purchase would not have proceeded. We urge the Council not to make another mistake and request that you enter into open and transparent consultation with all stakeholders prior to taking this decision. Keith Douglas 0419 650 091 On behalf of the Steering Committee Marine Action Group www.marineactiongroup.com
Click here to view Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce letter to CEO seeking answers to questions about Tipplers

From: keithdouglas@marineactiongroup.com
Subject: Tipplers
Date: 27 November 2009 11:48:50 AM
To: division9@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division11@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division8@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, gbrown@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division10@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division12@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division7@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division4@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division14@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division5@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, mayor@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division13@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division1@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division2@goldcoast.qld.gov.au, division3@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

TO: Mayor & Councilors

Tipplers has been an iconic destination for boat owners for decades.

Its closure by the Gold Coast City Council has disappointed and angered many people and they are far from appeased and ambivalent: In fact they are angry and want something done about it. In addition there are many small business operators such as charter boat operators who have been severely affected financially by the closure.

These business operators, the Gold Coast Marine Industry and boat owners in general will welcome the reopening of Tipplers. However activities such as playing ping-pong or pool are not what boat owners are seeking. Even barbecues don't fit into the expectations of boat owners who in the past have traveled to Tipplers to enjoy lunch at a reasonable cost and to have a cold drink be it alcoholic or not while the children had a swim in the pool. This was something that people cherished in this idyllic setting. This was the Tipplers experience!

Reports that there were problems with drunkenness amongst patrons are simply not factual.

Smaller boats do not have toilet facilities so a stopover at Tipplers during the day was the norm.

The importance of boating destinations was well documented in the submission to Council by Marine Queensland's Charles Dickson. The Marine Action Group endorses these comments. A copy of this submission is attached for your reference.

It should be noted that the Tipplers area has been sand mined in the 1960's and the vegetation is re-growth. The commercial lease area is not environmentally significant and it has been suggested that Council's purchase of a commercial lease that operated for the purpose of tourism with monies that were raised by levies for the purchase of acquiring significant bushland is questionable.

Environmental education: The Marine Action Group does not support the concept of an environmental hub at Tipplers - we think such activities would be more appropriate at and adjacent to Couran Cove where there are areas of environmental significance. Couran Cove has the necessary infrastructure in place to accommodate day trippers and students and we believe that the existing boardwalk area should be promoted as a tourist destination and that Council should liaise with Couran Cove management to develop and pursue its ideas on environmental education.

It is doubtful that the lease area would qualify for an Environmental Park status when it is re-growth that has appeared after sand mining.

Marine hub for safety, training and Boat Club: The re-establishment of a facility to provide the amenity that "boaties" expect at Tipplers is essential not only for the benefit of individuals like ourselves but for the wellbeing of the hundreds of marine businesses that reply upon consumers who want to spend time on the water including operators of tourist charter boats.

Tipplers has been a very important part of the boating amenity due to its sheltered anchorage, food and beverage facilities, toilet facilities and let's not forget the swimming pool where the children could have some fun while their parents relaxed.

There can be no argument that justifies taking these facilities away and it is important that Councilors understand the benefits of having these services available at Tipplers.

The Marine Action Group has sought to take a long-term view as to what steps must now be taken to provide the best future for boating, fishing and diving.

Waterways management (including dredging), reef management (including artificial reef programs), the establishment of a Boat Club facility at Tipplers and the implementation of training/safety programs are priority issues.

The number of boats (including personal water craft) is continually increasing and with the most conservative population growth estimates, it is clear that far more attention will need to be given to safety awareness on the water and the implementation of training programs for people new to boating as well as "Ride Safe" programs for new and existing PWC users. Training and safety programs offer many benefits and will ultimately result in a better experience for everybody on the water.

The establishment of a Boat Club facility on Tipplers under the umbrella of Marine Queensland would provide the perfect opportunity for education and safety training as well as the F&B facilities that "boaties", tourists and day tripping ratepayers alike expect.

With boat registrations heading towards 30,000 on the Gold Coast alone and a further 40,000 registered vessels on the southside of Brisbane/Ipswich that are trailered to our area, it is easy to understand that a dedicated facility at Tipplers would provide valuable services to the boating community.

After consultation with a wide cross section of industry and boating experts, the proposal to develop a Boat Club facility at Tipplers has been enthusiastically supported.

The Marine Action Group is asking the Gold Coast City Council to embrace this proposal and enter into dialogue at the earliest opportunity to discuss the steps that need to be taken to establish the proposed facility.

We believe that this proposal provides the best outcome for the marine industry, tourism, consumers on the water and more particularly ratepayers.

Our group met with the Mayor and Council Officers on 13th November 2009 and we were led to believe that Council would embrace our proposal. Media reports since have caused considerable alarm within our group as to Council's intentions. We are aware and very sure that public opinion is on our side and we have refrained from involving the mainstream media so far in the knowledge that any reporting will be extremely critical of the Council.

An undertaking was also given at the meeting that there would be no further demolition work carried out other than what was absolutely necessary.

Support for our proposal is an opportunity for the Council to be seen to be taking positive steps in the interests of:

- boating safety and boating enjoyment

- the Marine Industry which is in the process of emerging from a difficult period

- assisting tourism operators who have suffered financially through Council's acquisition of Tipplers

- enabling a better outcome for the City's finances

We seek the opportunity to discuss this proposal with each Councilor to ensure that our vision for Tipplers is clearly understood.

Best regards,

Keith Douglas M: 0419 650 091

on behalf of the Marine Action Group

www.marineactiongroup.com

From: Keith Douglas [mailto:keithdouglas@marineactiongroup.com]
Sent: Friday, 20 November 2009 12:05
To: Division1; Division2; Division3; Division4; Division5; division6@goldcoast.qld.gov.au; Division7; Division8; Division9; Division10; Division11; Division12; Division13; Division14; MAYOR

Subject: Recording our opposition to jet ski ban proposal

20 November 2009.

Dear Mayor and Councillors,

The Marine Action Group urges all Councillors to defer any decisions that will restrict the use of personal water craft (jet skis) or the launching of personal water craft (jet skis) in any area on the Gold Coast until such time as proper consultation is carried out with the marine industry, regulators and consumers.

If such consultation is carried out properly, it will be apparent that a ban is not the appropriate solution to the reported noise problem. There are existing by-laws that can be enforced without the need for any changes and in addition there is also the opportunity for self-regulation and education programs.

These are the avenues that need to be pursued - not draconian measures that will have adverse affects on local businesses through discouraging the tourism spend of personal watercraft users and potentially cause a variety of other problems.

From a safety viewpoint, concentrating jet skis into other areas will increase the risk of accidents in these areas, which in turn increases demands for banning personal water craft. This is not a desirable course of action and if a serious accident was to occur, the blame may well be levelled at Council due to its own actions.

Traffic congestion on the roads on a fine Sunday in the northern Gold Coast areas is a problem. Last Sunday afternoon there was a queue of cars from the Sundale Bridge right to The Spit. Pushing more traffic in this direction makes no sense at all and these boat ramps are already overcrowded at weekends. There’s more than enough ramp rage now without further aggravating the problem by forcing more craft onto already overcrowded facilities.

Jet ski owners pay a registration fee as well as a separate licence fee. Until these water craft are deemed to be illegal in Queensland, we believe the Gold Coast City Council is overstepping it's authority.

The closure of Tipplers by the Gold Coast City Council over the past few months and it's reluctance to consider any similar or licenced amenity to replace it remains a source of concern to the whole marine sector.

We respectfully remind Council that they have been elected by the public to carry out the will of the public. It is our view that if proper community consultation had have been carried out, the Tipplers purchase would not have proceeded.

We urge the Council not to make another mistake and request that you enter into open and transparent consultation with all stakeholders prior to taking this decision.

Keith Douglas 0419 650 091
On behalf of the Steering Committee
Marine Action Group
www.marineactiongroup.com

Click here to view Gold Coast Combined Chamber of Commerce letter to CEO seeking answers to questions about Tipplers