Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club boomgate petition before Mackay council

The Mackay mayor fears a plea from volunteers to block off access to a car park at a popular beach could set a precedent for others to follow.

Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club president Cynthia Hegerty told Mackay Regional Council on Wednesday that their petition for a boom gate at the car park outside the club was not a decision they took lightly as Mayor Greg Williamson said it could set a precedent to block off other public car parks across the region. Picture: Heidi Petith

A boom gate may be installed for a car park at one of Mackay’s most popular beaches after multiple near misses between cars and small children.

It comes after Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club petitioned Mackay Regional Council to allow them to self-fund a gate to control traffic and keep children safe during Nippers’ events.

But Mayor Greg Williamson during the ordinary meeting of council on Wednesday said he was concerned granting the request would trigger a precedent for calls to block off other public car parks across the region.

ESLC president Cynthia Hegerty told councillors they did not “put petitions up lightly” but no controls they had put in place like extra signage, witches hats or having parents stand guard had worked with four near misses over the past five years.

Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club president Cynthia Hegerty told Mackay Regional Council on Wednesday that their petition for a boom gate at the car park outside the club was not a decision they took lightly as Mayor Greg Williamson said it could set a precedent to block off other public car parks across the region. Picture: Heidi Petith

“We’ve probably written off six (hats) in the last six months,” Ms Hegerty said.

She added small children could not read safety signs and it was impossible for 100-odd kids with nipper boards plus siblings and volunteers to stick to a “little piece of grass” to avoid crossing the car park.

Agenda documents show councillors were recommended to reject the boom gate proposal and instead “continue consultation” with the club on how to reduce risks to pedestrians from vehicles.

Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club volunteers want to install a boom gate blocking public access to this car park during busy events. Picture: Heidi Petith

They further state the gate would require initial capital and ongoing maintenance costs which “does not represent value for money” when it “would primarily only be required for approximately 14 days per year”.

Councillor George Christensen challenged why costs were a factor when the club had stated it was prepared to front the costs before asking why the issue had “taken so long” to come before council.

Director of Operations Jason Devitt conceded the council should have acted sooner as he explained the issue was “lost” in the priority cue in part because of structural and staff shifts.

Mr Devitt said if boom gates were installed, the council would need to licence when they were used.

Councillor Martin Bella questioned whether gates were redundant considering the club’s volunteers would fill the car park spaces ahead of any event, eliminating traffic, a point retorted by Councillor Nathanea MacRae who said full parks did not eliminate drivers entering the space “even to just have a look”.

Councillor Karen May said it was premature to reject the boom gate as she introduced a motion for the council to first consider all options to mitigate safety risks.

Her motion was carried 10-1 with only Cr Bella voting against it.