Support for community events on pier and jetties

Fraser Coast residents have expressed support for occasional community events on the Urangan Pier and Hervey Bay jetties if public access is not restricted, but are not in favour of permanent commercial activities and private events.

Cr David Lee said the pier and jetties in Hervey Bay are an important and well-loved feature of the Esplanade for residents and visitors.

“Council occasionally receives requests from people interested in setting up businesses or holding community events on the Urangan Pier or the jetties in Scarness and Torquay,” he said.

“Ideas floated have included businesses setting up stalls, running fishing lessons or using mobile carts to sell items, restaurants or wedding organisers using the piers and jetties for functions, or community groups closing off all or some of the pier for fundraising events.

“Our local laws currently do not allow these activities to occur, so we decided to seek feedback to better understand the community’s views on commercial and community use of the pier and jetties.

“We received 1239 survey responses, a dozen submissions and a petition with the community expressing support for temporary business activities such as mobile carts and fishing lessons.

“There was also majority support for community events if they are infrequent and access to the public is still provided.

“However, there was a high level of community opposition to commercial activity and programmed/recurring events on the Urangan Pier and the Scarness and Torquay jetties.

“We thank everyone who took the time to provide their feedback to Council, as well as the 553 people who signed a community petition.

“No changes will be made immediately, but Council will take the community feedback on board as we continue to review and update our local laws into the future.”