State Government’s arrogance to cost Whitsunday ratepayers

“The Queensland State Government’s lack of community engagement and arrogance will cost Whitsunday ratepayers approximately $1.4m.  

If the government had of undertaken proper consultation right from the beginning, they would have known that a fixed boat ramp at Shute Harbour was not fit for purpose and not what the community wanted.  

For the last two years it was obvious that the boat ramp’s upgrades were dangerous to the public and I raised these issues with the Minister and the government on multiple occasions, but it was never recognised as being any issue. 

The State Government has shown that they are unwilling to engage with and negotiate a solution with the Whitsunday Council which has left the Council trying to find a way to take matters into their own hands to obtain a community outcome. 

However, a vote to negotiate to take ownership of the ramp is giving the State Government a leave pass and my concern is for the precedence that this sets.  

Minister Bailey and this government’s arrogance has already cost Queenslanders $1.8m in failed upgrades to the Shute Harbour Boat Ramp and now their inability to deliver a project on time or fit for purpose looks set to cost Whitsunday ratepayers a further $1.4m. 

Whitsunday fishers, boaties and all ratepayers deserve better”.