QUEENSLAND RECREATIONAL BOATING COUNCIL INC (QRBC) Report of Meeting

Transcription

1 QUEENSLAND RECREATIONAL BOATING COUNCIL INC (QRBC) Report of Meeting Items of interest from the August 19th 2015 meeting of the Queensland Recreational Boating Council held at the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Office in Manly. 22 Organizations in attendance. The AGM was held following this monthly meeting. General Considerable discussion regarding the formation of a sub-committee to look at the ever increase in derelict and abandoned vessels. TMR Maritime Safety Qld The various sections within Maritime Safety Qld will once again be attending Boat shows again in the near future. This was agreed to at our meeting with the Minister for Harbours and Marine, Mark Bailey. The Council was advised that to date, 34 derelict vessels have been removed along the Qld Coast at a staggering cost of $460, to the Qld taxpayer. A newly reprinted Recreational Boating Guide will be available shortly and delegates will be able to access these for distribution to their club members. TMR Boating Infrastructure Report Colmslie upgrade boat ramp facility Meeting with local member s office occurred. TMR to progress with planned works of extending and upgrading the boat ramp and replacing the floating walkway. William Street, Cleveland bed levelling Bed levelling completed early June Awaiting survey results. William Street, Cleveland dredging Deed of Agreement with RCC signed in June Works scheduled for 2016/17. Grant funding provided by TMR to RCC in July Pelican Park, Clontarf dredging Dredging completed in June

2 Burrum Heads boat ramp Scarborough Boat Harbour dredging KBR scheduled to complete detailed design in. Fisheries and marine park zone changes progressing satisfactorily (parliament approval expected September 2015). Timing of construction works will take into consideration the 2016 Easter Fishing Classic event. Project scheduled for completion during Dredging continued through. Dredging continuing in July Project scheduled for completion September Toorbul new floating walkway Contractor mobilised on site in July Construction commenced in. For both of these project reports I have kept the listing brief and relevant to our local area. Should you have a question re other areas of Qld, please contact me, as the full list is quite extensive Gold Coast Waterways Authority Report (GCWA) Current projects Labrador Channel Dredging Stage 1 and construction of boating facilities (joint GCWA and City of Gold Coast Project-Broadwater Parklands Stage 3) Target project completion September 2015 Labrador Channel Dredging Stage 2 Tender evaluation process completed award on hold pending independent review Coomera Dredge Spoil Management Facility Land leases now executed and registration progressing Planning, design and Community Infrastructure Designation approvals process progressing 50% Design Completed Stakeholder consultation progressing Tipplers Passage dredging and pontoon extensions Design and development process progressing for pontoon extensions Final environmental approvals expected in Target completion February 2016 Review of speed limits on GC waterways Public consultation is now closed Consultation report published on GCWA website, outcomes and recommendations being considered Removal of derelict vessels from the waterways In partnership with National Parks (ongoing) Surfers Paradise Riverside Masterplan implementation (Appel Park viewing platform & Way finding signage) Forward planning for implementation underway Jacobs Well (Main Channel North) Dredging Design and approvals process underway Main Channel South and Coomera River North Dredging Forward planning works underway 2

3 North Channel and South Channel Dredging Forward planning works underway Biggera Creek dredging Approvals process underway Fleays Canoe access project Design completed approvals progressing Target commencement onsite September 2015 Fleays Canoe access project Design completed approvals progressing Target commencement onsite September 2015 Cabbage Tree Point dredging Design and approvals process underway Completed projects Community consultation progressing Canaipa Passage dredging Completed May 2014 Dux Anchorage Pontoon Completed August 2014 Holly Ave boat ramp reconstruction Completed December 2014 Jasmine Ave boat ramp reconstruction Completed March 2015 Gold Coast Seaway Diver access Stage 1 and Stage 2 Completed July 2015 Surfers Paradise Riverside Masterplan Masterplan completed December 2014 Surfers Paradise Riverside Commercial Pontoon Completed in June 2015 Currumbin Creek Winders Park Boat Ramp Upgrade Completed in June 2015 Replacement Navigational Aids Maintenance Vessel Completed in June 2015 Coleman Road Boat Ramp Completed in July 2015 Currumbin Creek Winders Park Pontoon Completed in Updated 18 Qld Parks and Wildlife Services The delegate reported on a whale/boat strike the resulted in the death of a Minke whale about 4 metres long. It is not known for sure where the incident took place but the carcass was found in the Peel Island area. A reminder re the distance requirements for whales and dolphins. The full copy of this information is available on the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection website No approach zones 3

4 Within a caution zone there are areas designated as no approach zones that boats cannot enter. These are the areas closest to an animal and directly in front of and behind an animal. For a whale, the no approach zone surrounds the animal for 100 metres and extends 300 metres in front of and behind the animal. For dolphins, the no approach zone surrounds the animal for 50 metres and extends 150 metres in front of and behind the animal. Something to think about... A fully loaded semi trailer weighs 36 tonnes. A fully-grown humpback whale weighs up to 45 tonnes. You wouldn t stand in front of a moving semi-trailer, so why would you put your boat in the way of a whale? The '3-boat rule' A boat cannot enter a caution zone if three boats are already present within the caution zone of an animal. If there are boats waiting to enter a caution zone, boats inside the zone should share the water by moving away after they have had an opportunity to watch a whale or a dolphin. Volunteer Marine Rescue/Coast Guard The Coast Guard delegate gave an overview of the safety precautions being put in place for the Offshore Power Boat racing to be held at the entrance to the Seaway and near Wavebreak Island this weekend. This will result in complete channel closures in this area at certain times on Friday 21 st Saturday 22 nd and Sunday 23 rd. Information is available from the MSQ website. Qld Boating and Fishing Patrol No delegate available. QLD Water Police Delegate was called from the meeting to attend a briefing session at the Minister s office. As a result no report this month. TMR Marine Safety Regulation The delegate advised that new national standards are to be released shortly for Life Jackets. The documentation will no longer refer to PFDs, as the National Body has decided to revert to the title of LIFE JACKET. There will also be some changes required to the requirements for EPIRB stickers. These will be replaced by a waterproof wallet containing the necessary information re registration etc. 4

5 At the conclusion of the monthly meeting the AGM was held, with the election of office bearers for 2015/2016 being conducted. The results are as follows Chairman Des Thomson MBBC Deputy Chairman Mandy Brown Jet Ski Club Secretary/Treasurer Ernie Stewart MBTBC Until next month Des Thomson. Chairman QRBC 5