FERRIES from Brisbane’s CBD to Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island will be one of the plans hoped to bolster the island’s economy after sand mining ends in 2019.
Last week, the state government pushed through legislation to end mining in three years and claimed a Draft Economic Transition Strategy held the key to a smooth future for the island.
The legislation was passed in the early hours of Thursday when the Opposition was a member down and after admitting it had no plans on how it would spend $28million mentioned in the 37-page draft transition strategy.
The ferry idea was unveiled in the December transition strategy, which also outlined 16 “actions” to drive tourism, expand training and foster business growth.
The $28million package to kickstart the economy after mining includes $5million for redundant workers to find new jobs - promised by the ALP at last year's February election.
The island's indigenous group, Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, will also receive $20million.
The Bill was passed with a one vote majority 42 to 41, with the help of independents Cook MP Billy Gordon and Cairns MP Rob Pyne.
Cleveland MP Mark Robinson said the draft Economic Transition Strategy had no tangible plans for the island’s economy.
He accused the government of bullying tactics on the island and said the legislation was a payoff from the ALP to the Greens for preference sharing at the 2012 and 2015 elections.
In Question Time, Mr Robinson, who has held the island seat since 2009, asked Environment Minister Steven Miles to release details of the $28million plan for the island. He later accused the state of flying blind with no clear course of action.
Mr Miles admitted there was no plan and said the government wanted to wait until after the legislation to finalise details. He also invited the Cleveland MP to help draft one.
But Indigenous group Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Cameron Costello said there was a plan and the city to Stradbroke ferry was part of that “amazing opportunity”.
“It will bring up to an estimated 20,000 new tourists annually to Minjerribah,” he said. “QYAC has been having positive discussions with key industry figures and partners for the idea. The idea is not new and used to be done via a vessel known as "The Otter" from 1885 to 1946.
But Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation CEO Cameron Costello said the group looked forward to turning the island, known as Minjerribah, into a global eco-tourism destination.
"To have the voice of Indigenous communities restored on National Sorry Day is very significant," Mr Costello said.
"The passing of the Bill sends a clear message to the nation that native title agreements are to be respected and honoured."
Mine workers, briefed about their future by Sibelco hours after the decision, said they were in shock and numbed.
Bowman MP Andrew Laming, whose electorate covers the island, stepped in to allay workers' fears and said the next state government was able to overturn the 2019 decision.
"Mine leases run until 2019 but if the LNP wins the next state election it will be able to overturn that date and redraft the legislation - so it's just a holding pattern."
But that was not enough to stop the mining company, Sibelco, expressing its disappointment saying it had not planned to change its production volumes but was now reviewing its options.
Residents on the island said they were concerned property prices would fall and barge and ferry services would be scaled back in line with comments from Sealink chief executive David Thomson in September.
The legislation also reinstated a restricted mine path for Sibelco's Enterprise mine and set up a rehabilitation authority.
Sibelco's mining lease for its large Enterprise mine will end in 2019, with rehabilitation to continue beyond that.
The company's much smaller Vance mine, which is not currently extracting sand, will retain the already bestowed right to operate until 2025.
