People-power will underpin the development of a $1.5 million masterplan to oversee development and management of the Gold Coast Broadwater.
State Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft and Gold Coast City Council's Economic Development and Tourism Committee chair councillor Susie Douglas said nominations open today for a community reference group.
"The proposed Broadwater Masterplan will provide a definitive guide for waterway and land use management and development from Paradise Point to Southport," Ms Croft said saying the forum will be an important link between the Waterways Steering Committee and the community.
"That's why we are calling for nominations to form a Broadwater Community Reference Group, which will be at the heart of the project's community engagement activities."
Nominations for a place in the community reference group by interested stakeholders and community organisations are being invited for selection by the Waterways Steering Committee and should be submitted no later than December 16, 2011.
Ms Croft said planning wouldn't be starting from scratch and there were many previous initiatives which had been extensively documented. Some of the plans up for consideration include:
* infrastructure and commercial development opportunities
* recreational and commercial boating demand
* environmental issues including links with the Moreton Bay Marine Park
* local amenity issues
Councillor Douglas said a comprehensive masterplan would help secure the long-term environmental and economic future of the Broadwater.
"We've been pushing for a masterplan specifically for the Broadwater for some time and allocated $700,000 in the 2010-11 council budget," Cr Doulas said.
"The Broadwater is one of the city's most important and popular waterways and with recreational and commercial use set to increase as more people move to the city, this body of work will be vital to managing this growth effectively."
The planning process will draw on a number of key prior initiatives. These include: Gold Coast Harbour Vision 2020 Gold Coast Marine Development Project Tides of Change vision for Doug Jennings Park, the Marine Stadium and adjacent lands. Southport Broadwater Parklands Q150 Project and Stage 2 work.
Marine Queensland Chief Executive Officer Don Jones said the development of the Broadwater Masterplan through a community engagement process had the strong support of industry.
"While there have been many studies carried out over the years, a definitive plan for these waters and adjoining lands has always been the missing link," Mr Jones said.
For more information contact Maritime Safety Queensland's Gold Coast Office on 07 5539 7300.
