Petitions launched in harbour battle

Frustrated residents have launched two petitions over the new long-term vision for Scarborough Harbour.

Scarborough Harbour Action Group (SHAG) has opened an e-petition on the Queensland Government website and has paper petitions across the peninsula.

Locations of SHAG’s paper petitions include Sea Salt and Vine Cafe, Scarborough; Scarborough Harbour Caravan Park; Bay Boats, Scarborough; Bazil and Co Cafe, Scarborough; Scarborough Post Office and Amcal Pharmacy, Scarborough.

Also Sea Holly Boutique and Gift Shop, Scarborough; Rustic Blend Hair Studio, Scarborough; The Friendly Grocer, Scarborough; The Boat Shed, Scarborough; King St Butchers, Woody Point and Luppino's Hair Stylist, Margate.

Both petitions will be used in the group’s campaign over the Scarborough Boat Harbour Draft Master Plan, proposed by Transport and Main Roads (TMR).

This would see more tourism, commercial, entertainment and low-impact marina activities, while trawlers, seafood processing and wholesale would move across the harbour.

The latter would be part of “expanded marine activities” and a “club and community facility” along the inside harbour section of Scarborough Park.

TMR's project page says the master plan is due to finalised in mid-2024.

SHAG says there was “poor consultation and engagement”, which does not reflect "inclusivity, mutual respect or understanding” of community values and "limited evidence" of feedback from 2021.

The group also has “significant concerns” over traffic, roads, parking, congestion, environmental impacts and handling of dredge spoil" and "limited evidence" of feedback from 2021.

“Multiple attempts” to discuss the plan with state members and ministers have been “unsuccessful”, but SHAG says it will still pursue a meeting.

The e-petition calls on the State Government to “cease any current Scarborough Boat Harbour planning conducted by DTMR and restart the planning process in a more open, transparent and collaborative manner”.

It wants “all key stakeholders including residents, businesses and City of Moreton Bay, to help develop an environmentally sustainable and community-supported plan that maximises opportunities and use of this unique area for community, visitors and future generations”.

The paper petitions close on Thursday May 16 to be collated and delivered to Parliament House on Friday May 17 and be tabled the following week.

SHAG’s e-petition (click here) closes on Friday May 19. Queensland residents can sign both petitions once.

Those wanting petition pages to gather signatures can contact SHAG by sending a message on the group’s Facebook page.