The Fraser Coast Council in southern Queensland says it could take several years and millions of dollars to carry out studies to build a new boat ramp at Burrum Heads.

The council has voted to investigate upgrading an existing ramp instead of building a new one after the State Government asked for an environmental impact statement (EIS) on the project.

The Burrum Heads Progress Association has been campaigning for a new ramp since 1994 and previously had the council’s support.

But councillor David Dalgleish says studies for the EIS could cost millions of dollars.

He says even if the council proceeded with the studies, the project would need an amendment to the Great Sandy Marine Park to go ahead.

“The State Government has given us a list of requirements, a bizarre list of requirements that is unheard of, but they obviously have a real passion to make sure this doesn’t go ahead,” he said.

“What it would have meant was the council could have spent in excess of $2 million doing studies and then it still would require an act of Parliament to go through.”

He says the council could not justify the expense.

“We can’t take the gamble of risking $2 million of ratepayers’ money on studies that may lead to nothing but a rubbish tin,” he said.

“So we now are back to the drawing board to try and find an alternative solution, which will be probably put some money into upgrading one the State Government’s poorly managed boat ramps that exist there now.”