Port Pirie Regional Council floats ‘sinking fund’ to mitigate boat risk

A council has introduced a “unique” fee to mitigate the clean-up of sunken boats, sparked by one wreck which has remained on the ocean floor near a foreshore for almost a year.

A regional council has developed a “unique” tax after struggling to recover a sunken boat located off a city’s popular foreshore.

Port Pirie Regional Council has negotiated with local fishermen to find a realistic financial plan to ensure they’re covered in the event of further boat sinking incidents at Fisherman’s Jetty.

The council has proposed a “sinking fund” where existing boat owners moored at the jetty that can’t afford insurance can pay an annual $800 fee to keep their boat there.

This includes a base rate of $350 for the council’s fees and charges register and a non-refundable fee of $450, to be held by council and used to subsidise potential future recovery of any uninsured boats.

Port Pirie Mayor Leon Stephens said it took “several months” for anyone to inform the council that a boat located behind the city’s Viterra silos, adjacent to Fisherman’s Jetty, had even sunk.

The sunken vessel has remained underwater for several months despite Port Pirie Regional Council’s efforts to bring it to the surface. Picture: Isaac Selby

“The boat’s been there for several months, when it first sunk no one told us about it,” Mr Stephens said.

“At first there was a fair bit of argy bargy about who’s responsibility the boat was.

“We had to chase down who owned the boat, which took a considerable time (and) we’ve had a few attempts at getting it up but it keeps breaking apart.

“We love these beautiful old boats, but we’ve got an ageing asset on our hands.”

Mr Stephens said Fisherman’s Jetty “probably isn’t up to a good enough standard” and he would like to see it replaced with a floating pontoon.

The jetty is located behind the Viterra grain silos located along Pirie's foreshore. Picture: Isaac Selby

“We have to take precautions to make sure community is protected from excessive spending,” he said.

“I’m aware of any other moorings that have a sinking fund so I guess it could be a unique situation.

“At the end of the day if we have old uninsured boats that could sink then ratepayers shouldn’t be responsible.”

Due to high levels of lead and cadmium produced by the Nystar’s Port Pirie lead smelter, several restrictions on fishing practices have been implemented in surrounding waters.

In September 2022, some of Pirie’s fishing restrictions were lifted, allowing the return of recreational fishing in selected zones surrounding the city.

Port Pirie Regional council will reserve the right to decline applications from uninsured boats in future. Picture: Isaac Selby

Remaining restrictions include bans on fishing mussels, crabs and razorfish in zoned areas due to the risk of lead contamination.

The cost of recovering the sunken ship is estimated at $5000.