Boats appeal results in win

A CAMPAIGN by the Cairns Post to rid Trinity Inlet of derelict boats has had a big victory with the State Government providing $20 million statewide to fix the problem.

Former Cairns Post reporter Jim Campbell launched the campaign in 2016 and was successful in getting at least nine abandoned vessel carcasses removed from Trinity Inlet.

But, with a fleet of more than 50 vessels sunk or deserted in the region’s waterways, the job is far from finished.

Cairns MP Mr Healy went into bat for the city last week and fortuitously Transport Minister Mark Bailey, who happened to be in Cairns yesterday, brought some good news and a kitty of $20 million to rid waterways of the eyesores and environmental hazards.

The wrecks have been a blight on the beautiful mangrove environment of Trinity Inlet for many years.

Visitors and tourists taking tours in the inlet have been dismayed with the sight as well as boaties and fishers who use the waterways regularly.

The funding, spread over four years, will allow Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) to step in when boat owners refused to cooperate in the removal process.

Mr Bailey says MSQ has a program to identify and respond to neglected vessels. There are about 270 boats of concern on the list. MSQ will prioritise the most serious navigational and environmental hazards.

The funding is a win for the people, users of our waterways who have had to deal with the ugly and damaging wrecks every day.

The late Jim Campbell, who regularly fished in Trinity Inlet, would be delighted his campaign has been successful. Nick Dalton Deputy editor