Hervey Bay Gossip

Migaloo, the white humback whale is definitely on his way north and is thought to be in Queensland waters right now - in fact he could conceivably be passing Fraser Island today.

Environment Minister Desley Boyle said Migaloo had again been declared a ’special interest’ whale in Queensland waters this year to ensure he could swim freely.

“A ’special interest’ whale declaration means no-one can drive a boat or Jet Ski closer than 500m or fly an aircraft closer than 2000ft to the whale without written permission,” Ms Boyle said.

“If these conditions are breached, the maximum penalty is $12,375.”

For ordinary whales - if there ever could be an ‘ordinary’ whale the following regulations apply:

# a boat cannot go any closer than 100 metres from a whale, except in the whale protection zone of the Whitsunday, Lindeman and Gloucester island groups where the approach limit is 300 metres;

# boats cannot go any closer than 300 metres from a whale if three or more boats are already closer than 300 metres to a whale;

# boats cannot go any closer than 300 metres if moving in a similar direction to or behind a whale, moving at more than four knots; and

# swimmers should exercise caution and move carefully away if a whale approaches or surfaces near them.

“These rules apply in State and Commonwealth waters, and they apply whether you’re operating your own yacht or cruiser, a fishing charter, a trawler, or a commercial whale-watching boat,” Ms Boyle said.

“There are also regulations applying to aircraft and personal watercraft such as Jet Skis.

“The safest place for inexperienced people to observe migrating whales is from commercial whale-watching vessels or from dry land.”

The maximum penalty for intentionally moving closer to a whale than permitted under the conservation plan is $9000. On-the-spot fines ranging from $225 to $375 may also apply for various contraventions of the conservation plan.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today announced the in-principle agreement between a Chinese airline and Queensland authorities to work closely together to remove possible barriers for flights between Chinese cities and Brisbane.

China Southern Airlines, Tourism Queensland and the Brisbane Airport Corporation will form a working group to further discuss the airline’s interest in operating from Guangzhou to Brisbane.

Mr Beattie said the airline had been investigating the possibility of a non-stop service to Brisbane and the working group was another step forward.

“There are a number of technical and operational issues being worked through but China Southern senior executives will be travelling to Queensland later this month and they will have further discussions with Queensland government, aviation and tourism industry representatives,” Mr Beattie said.

He said China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines have also shown interest in a non-stop service from Shanghai to Brisbane.

“The tourism growth potential from the Chinese mainland is huge. Between December 2003 and 2004 there was an increase of almost 71,000 visitors from China.

“The forecast growth of about 16 per cent annually over the next decade could mean as much as $6 billion to the Queensland economy,” Mr Beattie said.

And of course more Chinese tourists coming to Hervey Bay means more dollars into the local economy.

The Beattie Government will provide $60,000 for a feasibility study into a new iconic water park in Hervey Bay, Premier Peter Beattie, announced today.

Mr Beattie said he had agreed to help fund the proposal after strong representations from the Member for Hervey Bay, Andrew McNamara and the Wide Bay Water Corporation.

“This project has terrific potential and could be a great tourist attraction for the Wide Bay region, ” Mr Beattie said.

“However it has to stack up.

“Because of climate change and the drought we have to be extremely smart about how we manage water and we can’t afford to waste a drop.

“I want to make sure any proposal put forward is water wise using recycled water and promoting conservation and education measures.”

The concept by Wide Bay Water Corporation features a range of different entertainment and water education facilities in one central location on the Hervey Bay foreshore.

It includes significant water features from passive natural pool areas to active children’s aquatic playgrounds.

Once the feasibility study is finalised, Wide Bay Water Corporation will then be welcome to make a funding submission to the State through the various subsidy programs we have available for local Councils.

The Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara welcomed the funding and said he would work closely with Wide Bay Water Corporation and the Hervey Bay City Council to get the project up and running.

“Locals realise that we are lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful regions in the world,” Mr McNamara said.

“However, the tourism market is very competitive and we must be creative and innovative in drawing new visitors to our community.

“The aquatic playground has the potential to be a great drawcard for Hervey Bay as well as a lot of fun for local families and a big boost for local business”.

The Hervey Bay Whale Festival is again this year from August 4 to 13 and volunteers are needed to staff the events.

For further details you can call 4125 9858 or visit the Hervey Bay Whale Festival by following the link.

It was interesting to look at the number of No Vacancy signs that were out along The Esplanade this weekend and also to look at the number of people in the caravan parks too.

Perhaps business was not quite as brisk this weekend compared to this time last year but the increases in petrol prices don’t seem to have bitten quite as hard as one might expect. Of course there are those who suggest that Hervey Bay tourism is rather insulated from petrol price increases because we are so close to Brisbane but sooner or later the cost of petrol is going to have an impact on the family budget.

When that happens it won’t matter how close we are to Brisbane, people will simply be opting to holiday at home.

The coming weeks through to the start of whale season will also be interesting to watch and this will be the time that impact of the jets coming into Hervey Bay will be more noticeable.

Over the next few weeks car number plates from the southern states will become more noticeable here in Hervey Bay as the low temperatures in the southern states encourage people to come north for the winter.

Despite the influx of people from the south the State Government wants even more. Now Queensland’s legendary winter warmth will be the focus of a new events campaign designed to lure tourists from colder climes.

Premier Peter Beattie said the $500,000 campaign would tempt freezing southerners and New Zealanders to head to Queensland for a warm winter welcome.

Margaret Keech the Tourism Minister annouced today that the campaign will comprise inserts in major daily newspapers in Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand. It will also leverage off Brisbane Marketing activity in the southern capitals around the same time.

“The campaign will commence in late May which signifies the beginning of our beautiful winter months and many key events such as the Brisbane Festival, The Dreaming Indigenous Festival and the Noosa Long Weekend are programmed during that time,” she said.

The weeks between the end of the school holidays and Easter are usually a time when tourist numbers decline and everyone can take a breather. However, this year seems to be a little different.

Several weeks ago a major tourism campaign for the Fraser Coast was launched in the southern states and it seems to be paying off. Several times over the last week or so there have been motels along the Esplanade displaying no vacancy signs and occupancy rates at the resorts around Boat Harbour seem to be up as well.

A little bird tells me that Cafe Balena - down at the Boat Harbour - has been swamped day after day with patrons for breakfast.

Several cruise boats have been seen leaving Boat Harbour too and rumour has it that Kingfisher Bay Resort is running the cruises out into the bay.

From June 7 a cruise ship will be operating out of the Boat Harbour at Urangan but don’t expect to see a huge liner trying to find it’s way into the harbour any time soon. Instead you will see the MV Discovery arrive from Tasmania around the end of May to spend the next three months offering five star adventure cruising around Fraser Island.

The Discovery was built by Hobart boat builders, Richardson and Devine, and spends the summer months involved in eco-tourism on Tasmania’s west coast. You can learn more about the Discovery here.

While operating out of Hervey Bay the vessel will carry 24 passengers in first class accommodation with private facilities. Each cruise will stretch over four days and include kayaking, snorkeling, fishing and shore tours.

The first cruise will depart on June 7 and the final cruise of the season will depart on September 8.

Click here for further details.

Our very own Fraser Island has made it to the pages of the esteemed Financial Times. I’m not sure that anyone could reasonably have a “Robinson Crusoe moment” on Fraser Island but it makes for a good read.

Perhaps we will see an influx of pinstripe suits in the coming months.

Yesterday we reported on the announcement of a new Ramada resort for Hervey Bay. Previously there had been some speculation that it might have been built on the site of the Anchorage caravan park in Urangan.

Late yesterday the developers revealed that the new resort will be built on land between Pialba and Point Vernon that is currently occupied by a hotel. Concerns about the height of the building are already being voiced by several groups.

No development plan has yet been submitted to Council.