Stradbroke Chamber of Commerce president Colin Battersby says the state government needs to release the Dunwich master plan as a matter of urgency to stop businesses and locals being left in the dark about the island's future.
It comes amid a controversial state government decision to remove the Harold Walker Jetty at Junner Street.
The government started community consultation on a master plan in October 2018 and is working on a draft document, which is due to be released for public consultation in early 2021.
- Also read: North Stradbroke Island Chamber of Commerce chairman Colin Battersby says Monday Ekka holiday to boost island businesses struggling due to COVID-19
- Also read: No relief for local businesses as relaxation of COVID-19 travel restrictions currently ruled out for North Stradbroke Island
- Also read: Redlands set to boom for December season, North Stradbroke Island fully booked
Mr Battersby said the jetty removal was something that could have been included in a master plan.
"The jetty has been there for 30 odd years and is used a lot by local families and people who come over from the mainland for fishing," Mr Battersby said.
"The business owners in Dunwich need a master plan so they can plan how their businesses can go forward.
"You would think that jetty, the removal of it, would be part of that master plan.
"What it highlights is we don't have a master plan as yet and we wait with bated breath to see one."
The Dunwich master plan is one of 23 state government initiatives under the North Stradbroke Island Economic Transition Strategy.
A state planning department spokesman said final consultation and adoption of the master plan was initially set down for early 2020 but had to be pushed back due to the pandemic.
"At that time ... the government's priority was to focus on the immediate health response to keep all Queenslanders safe," he said.
"As the immediate health threat passed, the government's attention has been focussed on economic recovery efforts."
Mr Battersby said the plan should have been finished two years ago.
"The business community and the whole island community would like more input into what is happening in the masterplan," he said.
"We haven't seen anything other than a vision statement for Dunwich. You would hope there is some sort of internal discussion about what is happening with it, but it should have been out two years ago."
The state planning department spokesman said all businesses would be allowed to provide feedback once the draft plan was released next year.
"The Queensland government looks forward to sharing the draft Dunwich master plan for public consultation in early 2021," he said.
"The removal of the Harold Walker Jetty is not proposed under the draft master plan."
Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Angus Mitchell said work to remove the jetty was planned for early 2021.
"A recent engineering assessment of the jetty indicated it has exceeded its design life and is unsafe for use by boats or pedestrians," he said.
"Once a schedule of works is in place for the new year, signs at the jetty will be updated and stakeholders notified."
Read more local news here.
