Council casts the lure to develop a recreational fishing hub!

Published on 13 September 2016

A fishing industry for the Rockhampton Region is looking very promising after Council today adopted a fishing strategy.

The Rockhampton Recreational Fishing Development Strategy seeks to sustain and improve the recreational fishing experience for locals as well as build a fishing tourism industry through improved infrastructure, marketing, business development, fisheries management, and improvement to the local environment.

Council’s Infrastructure Committee Chair and budding fisherman Councillor Tony Williams said the strategy would lay the foundations in promoting the Region as a recreational fishing hub and adventure tourism destination.

“Council today adopted the strategy which will be of huge benefit to our Region and provide us with some really exciting opportunities not only for the fishing industry, but the general community as well,” Cr Williams said.

“The Fitzroy River is home to two major estuary sports fish in Australia; the iconic Barramundi and the King Threadpin. With our airport, nearby accommodation and city attractions; we are the only Region offering this within such close proximity to sports fishing.

The fishing strategy was developed in conjunction with  the community from November 2015 to July 2016  through two surveys, various stakeholder meetings, and a submission based process for drafting the strategy.

Cr Williams said that as we turn the projects listed within the strategy from concept into reality, we would follow a structured approach and continue to involve our key stakeholders.

Major infrastructure initiatives of the strategy include:

• A new North Rockhampton Boat Ramp with a pontoon and car parking
• A new boat ramp with a pontoon and car parking in the Port Alma area
• An increase of the car and boat trailer parking at the Quay Street boat ramp facility
• The creation of land based fishing opportunities such as jetties, pontoons and cleared areas along identified sections of the Fitzroy River, Fitzroy Delta and Mount Morgan
• Replacement of the Rockhampton jetty to allow easier access for those that have non-trailer loaded vessels.

Cr Williams said that as a matter of priority, Council would begin drafting the boat ramp proposal for North Rockhampton with the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

“We will continue to collaborate on all levels of the projects and will work in cooperation with the Gladstone Ports Corporation to develop a boat ramp proposal for the Port Alma area,” he said.