War on Wreck program removed hundreds of rotting vessels but it came at a cost

Derelict and rotting boats abandoned in Queensland waters have cost taxpayers $26 million in seven years and nearly all negligent boaties have walked away without paying a cent.

Former Australian Navy ship the MV Banks was stuck on Whitsunday Island.

Taxpayers have been slugged nearly $4m a year for derelict and rotting boats to be removed from Queensland’s waters — all while most negligent boaties walk away without paying a cent.

It can be revealed the state government’s War on Wrecks program has cost $26m in the past seven years for 1021 abandoned vessels to be removed by the maritime safety authority or private contractors.

But only about $100,000 — most of it through fines — has been recovered from negligent boaties, despite a promise by the state to chase costs from errant owners.

This means less than half a cent is recovered for every dollar the government spends.

Funding for the War on Wrecks program will expire by the end of June, and the state government has not guaranteed the program will be extended.

This throws into doubt who will foot the bill for hundreds of abandoned derelict boats yet to be removed from Queensland’s waterways.

The 1000th vessel to be removed under the War on Wrecks program, at Cabbage Tree Creek at Shorncliffe in Brisbane. Picture: Queensland Government

The boat known as Sunsarai is one of the hulls being removed from Wynnum Creek by Maritime Safety Queensland.

The War on Wrecks program — led by Maritime Safety Queensland--- has cost taxpayers $26m since 2018.

MSQ has the power to place court orders and seek restitution of costs from owners, but it can be revealed only 61 owners — or 6 per cent as a proportion of all abandoned boats removed by the state or partner contractors — have been taken to court and only $70,000 in fines have been issued.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg blamed the previous Labor government for the predicament, but did not directly answer if the program will be funded into the future or if cost recovery methods would be reviewed.

“The Miles Labor government had a secret plan to cut the War on Wrecks program with no funding allocated after 30 June 2025,” he said.

“The Crisafulli LNP government understands the importance of working with communities to keep our waterways clear and will continue to remove abandoned and derelict vessels.”

Opposition transport spokesman Bart Mellish said the government’s response was a cop-out.

A wreck at Wynnum on Brisbane’s bayside

A wreck at Wynnum Creek on Brisbane’s bayside

“The Minister only has to read his department’s own website to know funding expires on June 30,” he said.

“Instead of diverting ghost trains to photo ops at the taxpayers expense, Brent Mickelberg should get on with securing additional funding to continue the important work of the War on Wrecks program.”

Rotting boats weaken over time making removal incredibly difficult and expensive.

While a total of 1021 boats have been removed by authorities, a further 674 were voluntarily rectified by boat owners.

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said there were at least 300 problem vessels still to be removed across southeast Queensland alone.

According to a 2019 state government report, a lack of regulation around boat identification, subsidised disposal sites and safety inspections were causing the shocking amounts of abandoned boats.

Preparations to re-float the stricken former Australian Navy vessel the MV Banks on Thursday.

Originally published as War on Wreck program removed hundreds of rotting vessels but it came at a cost