Gold Coast Waterways Authority changes sweep dredging under carpet: boaties
A MASSIVE overhaul of Broadwater speed limits and boatie behaviour proposed by authorities is just window dressing until major dredging works are undertaken, according to local boaties.
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A MASSIVE overhaul of Broadwater speed limits and boatie behaviour proposed by authorities is just window dressing until major dredging works are undertaken, say boaties.
In an attempt to calm the chaotic cocktail of craft on the water, the Gold Coast Waterways Authority wants to alter speed limits according to boat sizes in a bid to reduce damaging wash and to minimise the risk of accidents.
But the problem cannot be solved with regulations because the Broadwater is turning into a “sandpit”, says Coomera-based The Boat Works CEO, Tony Longhurst.
Mr Longhurst said the biggest issue was the silting of the Broadwater which was forcing more and more vessels into ever-narrowing channels.
He said the congestion was an accident waiting to happen and revenue was being lost because there was no room for superyachts to moor. “We fix the highways up but we’ve done absolutely nothing in the Broadwater,” Mr Longhurst said.
“I remember a time when we used to waterski across it. Now 50ft superyachts can’t moor here — we’re losing massive revenue.
“Those guys spend ten of thousands a day when they’re here. It’s a jewel of the Gold Coast going to waste.”
The changes proposed by the GCWA will affect most vessel owners.
One of the biggest issues is a proposal that craft longer than 6.5m — down from 8m — be limited to 6 knots along the entire western side of the Broadwater.
So far only 431 people have completed an online survey, which opened on October 21 and is aimed at giving boaties their say on the proposals.
Of those, 115 “strongly agreed” with reducing the length of boats that have to slow in variable speed zones while 104 “strongly disagreed”.
Water users and the owners of the 143,000 vessels registered in southeast Queensland have about two weeks left to have their say on the proposals.
GCWA boss Hal Morris said he hoped the changes would ease the hustle and bustle on the waterways.
“The draft strategy tackles speed limits and the behaviour of boaties in light of impacts to other waterways users,” he said.
Mr Morris said the organisation had spent $30 million on dredging projects across the 160km of local waterways in the past three years. He said the organisation had done more dredging than ever, including $6 million worth of maintenance work this year alone, which allows multi-million dollar yachts to access the Gold Coast.
“It is a real issue around congestion,” Mr Morris said.
“Getting more super yachts in the Broadwater would be great.”