Eyesore ex-fishing trawler hauled out of Breakfast Creek

A sunken ex-fishing trawler dumped in an inner-city waterway around the bend from a ritzy dining precinct has been pulled out of the mud, but its removal is coming at a staggering cost to taxpayers.

Simon Paroz & Co Boatbuilders pull the Syrena out of Breakfast Creek, in Brisbane's inner north.

AN ABANDONED wreck dumped in an inner-city waterway has been removed in an operation that cost taxpayers $34,000 and supported six local jobs.

State Labor Member for McConnel Grace Grace said the ex-fishing trawler Syrena first sank in late 2016 and was refloated before sinking again in Breakfast Creek in 2018.

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It languished there, upstream of the Breakfast Creek Hotel and the ritzy waterside dining precinct created as part of the $100 million Mercedes Benz Autohaus development.

“With mud accumulating throughout the hull, it became an eyesore and an environmental hazard and had to go,” Ms Grace said.

Ms Grace said local boatbuilders Simon Paroz & Co took two weeks to remove the 12m boat, which would be delivered to a wooden boat enthusiast who planned to restore it.

The endeavour cost $34,000 and supported six extremely local jobs — as Simon Paroz & Co Boatbuilders are based on Breakfast Creek.

The Syrena is pulled out of Breakfast Creek, in Brisbane's inner north.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Baily said it was one of 304 derelict and abandoned vessels removed under the $20 million War on Wrecks program since 2018.

In just the last four months, the State Government had pulled out 144 wrecks.

“We have an ongoing responsibility to clean up our marine environment and now we have an equally important mission to keep people in jobs at a time when they’re most needed.

War on Wrecks Taskforce Chair and Member for Redlands Kim Richards said the program goes beyond just removing derelict ships and boats.

“Local marine businesses are securing contracts to remove the vessels,” Ms Richards said.

“They in turn use local equipment hire for bobcats and other machinery, while local scrapyards reap the benefits of dismantling the boats

“Local marine businesses can expect to see more work coming their way as the war on wrecks program continues to reduce a list of about 184 wrecks and vessels of concern.”