WATER TORTURE

SPECIAL REPORT: Boaties say 11 agencies overseeing our ‘blue’ assets is crazy

RED TAPE and accusations of buckpassing levelled at the 11 agencies in charge of Gold Coast waterways have boaties, fishos and residents along the Broadwater tearing their hair out. Local MPs are demanding responsibilities be streamlined to just a few authorities so that contentious issues like pollution, speeding, failed navigation lights and derelict houseboats are not flicked from one agency to another. Southport Yacht Club general manger Brett James (pictured) says the Gold Coast Waterways Authority has become a “toothless tiger’’.

GOLD Coast boaties, anglers, beachgoers and waterside residents are tearing their hair out over a tsunami of bureaucracy on the city’s waterways.

According to the Gold Coast Waterways Authority, 11 agencies cover management of a long list of roles ranging from issuing licences through to boating, fishing, boating safety, beach management and the environment for a waterloving community with more than 32,000 registered vessels.

At a meeting this week called by two Gold Coast MPs who want those 11 roles streamlined, about 100 residents told of problems plaguing the waterways, including abandoned boats, dredging, variations of speed limits and dumping of waste.

Gold Coast businessman and boatie Stuart Bruce, who describes himself as a marine fanatic, said he was sick of marine issues being treated as a “hot potato”.

“When it comes to the management of the Broadwater and other waterways, I have never seen a bigger monstrosity,’’ Mr Bruce said.

“From the State Government to the police to the council, whoever I contact about issues such as speeding and unsightly live-aboards ... it is like it is a hot potato.”

Vessels are required to dump effluent kilometres offshore or at designated pumping stations, but angry stakeholders have accused a number of “unseaworthy’’ houseboats of discharging effluent into the Broadwater.

Management of that lies with the Maritime Safety Authority, but according to marine experts it is virtually impossible to detect.

A loophole in anchorage laws also allows these boats to remain anchored legally if they move their vessels 5.5km every seven days on the Broadwater. This is monitored by the waterways authority.

A State Government task- force this year identified 68 derelict vessels in southern Moreton Bay and Gold Coast waters.

Since July last year, 10 have been removed by the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.

Southport Yacht Club general manager Brett James said the waterways authority was a “toothless tiger” and he would prefer to see the State Government’s powers widened rather than local bodies.

“We have members asking for more moorings and more adjustments of the Seaway down past Sundale Bridge. Over time they are only going to get busier so we need to manage it better,’’ he said.

Gold Coast LNP MPs David Crisafulli and Sam O’Connor said they would call for a streamlined approach.

“I would like to see the waterways authority strengthened with a single point of accountability. If they succeed we could give them praise, if they fail we can take action,’’ Mr Crisafulli said.

But Transport Minister Mark Bailey sank the idea.

“I think it is utopian to think one group can address every single thing when there are a range of needs and talents,’’ he said. “People have to conform to laws and regulations, even those living on the water.

“But there isn’t a law against living in average-looking houses so low-income boat owners shouldn’t be targeted just because of that.”

Waterways authority CEO Hal Morris said the community was right to raise concerns.

“The community pays taxes to live on shore – they are right to question the costs these vessels are incurring,’’ he said.

“We monitor 90-100 vessels every month to ensure they are not overstaying their welcome. However, there are thousands in the area.”

Mayor Tom Tate did not support any move to extend the powers of the waterways authority. “The key function for GCWA is dredging our Broadwater,” he said.