OUTOING ISLAND JETTIES TO BE 'CONVERTED' FOR BOATING AND FISHING In what has previously not been known, Cr Mark Edwards advises that the current jetties on the four islands of the Southern Bay Islands will not be dismantled. They are to be 'adjusted and improved' to become places for small and visiting boats to tie up and also to become fishing jetties, the councillor has told The Friendly Bay Islander. Cr Edwards said providing places for recreational fishing on our foreshores has always been a 'problem' for the islands. "Fishing and waiting for a ferry has always been a recipe for disaster and an accident waiting to happen. "That is why fishing has always been banned on passenger jetties. "Now, boaties and fishing fans will have a place to call their 'own' on each of the SMB Islands," Cr Edwards added. He said the new initiative would prove 'invaluable' in improving visitation to our islands. "A huge number of boats make use of Moreton Bay around our islands. "With difficult access and the inability to tie up adequately, very few ever get to stop at our islands. "The improved facilities for visiting boats should go a long way to attracting more island boating visitors and to develop the island tourism industry," Cr Edwards said. Work on 'upgrading' the existing jetties to their new roles will happen after the construction of the new jetties and terminals are completed. This work will be 'separate' to the existing contract and will be carried out by Redland City Council only when the new jetty terminal work is completed.
• Cr Mark Edwards with rod in hand ready for the new fishing jetties!