REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Friday, April 23, 2004

FURIOUS boat owners said the Queensland Government had deserted them by refusing to dredge the Currumbin Creek bar because it would cost too much.

Transport Minister Paul Lucas said dredging would cost $10 million and that was too much to pay on a waterway that he claimed was not a major thoroughfare.

Instead the boaties were told to take responsibility for their own safety.

Local boaties feared a life would soon be lost if something is not done,

The Currumbin Volunteer Marine Rescue called off all night operations, as the creek had become too dangerous for them to navigate in the dark.

Mr Lucas made his decision after consulting a five-year-old city council report.

Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey told State Parliament 10,000 boats attempted the treacherous crossing each year but because of an ongoing massive sand build-up, their lives were being put at risk.

But Mr Lucas said it would cost $10 million initially and then another $1 million a year in maintenance. The bar was not a major navigational channel so the cost was not justified.

He said all bars were dangerous and boaties had to take responsibility for their own safety.

“They are very dangerous and they require great care in negotiating, even by experienced boating people,” Mr Lucas said.

“I do acknowledge that there have been a number of incidents in the last five days.

“But there have only been six in the period January, 1999, to August, 2003.”