Tinnie owners vow to keep fight afloat
THE fight for Labrador’s “iconic” foreshore tinnies is not over, says a boat owner who narrowly escaped having his vessel impounded by the Gold Coast City Council yesterday.
Wayne Hayes said he was alerted by neighbours that tow trucks with vessels on the deck appeared to be making their way from Biggera Waters to Labrador.
So he raced to the water’s edge and anchored his boat below the low tide mark, where the council has no authority. He was one of three boaties to do this.
“They (council officers) swept through quite quickly, and didn’t look at us. They came along in tow trucks and came through with a big set of bolt cutters and cut the chains that the tinnies and other vessels were moored to,” he said.
“I wish I knew the owner of one of the skis. I saw him on the water yesterday, but that was taken away by council, as were other tinnies that are either owned by out-oftowners or are actually abandoned. “But now it’s almost more of an eyesore and trip hazard because they left the big chains and locks there. They only removed the boats. They didn’t even bother to clean up after themselves.”
Tinnie owners were given removal stickers in May after the council said it received complaints vessels were “being left unlawfully” between Quota Park at Biggera Waters and Len Fox Park, Labrador.
For decades up to 50 boats have lined the foreshore, but the majority have been removed in recent weeks, with only about half a dozen tinnies, kayaks and skis left.
Mr Hayes said the tinnies had the overwhelming support of nearly 1000 locals, who signed a petition he helped organise with State Member for Bonney Sam O’Connor. It asked that the boats remain on the foreshore until officers found a way they could remain in a compliant manner.
Division 7 councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden acknowledged the petition but said an elected representative could not grant an exemption to any law and the boats had to be removed.
A report will outline “the potential options for the future management of watercraft on the Labrador foreshore”.
Mr Hayes said: “I truly hope that Ryan’s got our back with this in council and is moving this forward as a priority. The fight’s not over.”
A council spokesperson confirmed 22 unlawfully stored vessels were removed and would be held in secure storage at Pimpama and could be collected upon proof of ownership and payment of fees. Any uncollected craft may be auctioned by council.