Speed review proposes positive changes for Gold Coast boaties

New speed zones and tighter controls on vessel wash are among key safety proposals from a review of speed limits on Gold Coast waterways.

Transport Minister John Mickel today announced that Maritime Safety Queensland had finalised its speed limit proposals, which focus on safety and reducing damaging wash. This follows consideration of public submissions on a discussion paper released in July 2007.

"Input from the community, including boaties and waterside property owners, is that any changes should focus on controlling damaging and dangerous wash and keeping boaties safe," Mr Mickel said.

"The input of Marine Queensland as one of the key industry bodies representing local industry and recreational boaties was very helpful" he said.

"The thrust of the proposals is to control the negative impacts of speed without pushing out travel times excessively for the boating community."

The key proposals are:
• retaining the current speed limit of six knots in canals, creeks, lakes, boat harbours and marinas, but requiring no wash
• retaining the six knot speed limit for vessels 8 metres or over in some rivers and other narrow waterways
• introducing a six knot speed limit for vessels 8 metres and over in length within 30 metres of vessels under way
• introducing new or extended speed zones at Cabbage Tree Point, Jacobs Well, Tipplers Passage, McKenzies Channel, Wasp Creek, the Coomera and Nerang Rivers, and The Broadwater south of Wavebreak Island.

Mr Mickel said more than 250 submissions were received from a wide cross section of the boating community and the general public.

Maritime Safety Queensland will convene a public forum at the Southport Yacht Club at 5.30pm, Thursday January 31 to discuss the proposals and will start implementing changes from mid 2008.

Copies of the report are available at http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/

Ministerial contacts: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Shannon Mackay 3237 1125

January 24, 2007