Published Thursday, 14 February, 2008 at 07:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Ferry speed bid rejection confirmed
The state government has confirmed an earlier decision to reject a bid by a Gold Coast-based company to have a proposed ferry service exempted from speed limits on sections of the Broadwater and Nerang River.
Transport Minister John Mickel said as Maritime Safety Queensland had earlier advised, it was not possible to approve the application by the company, Solar Coast Cats.
Mr Mickel cited significant safety concerns when he confirmed to the company today that the state government had rejected the application made in July last year to operate ferries at speeds above established speed limits on Gold Coast waterways.
"Safety must be the first priority - and no-one should be exempted from speed limits whether they are on the states roads or the waterways," Mr Mickel said.
"The Queensland Government supports the proposed ferry service but requires that it be operated within the established legal speed limits in the interests of safety."
All existing ferry services throughout Queensland including Brisbane City Cats abide by set speed limits and no exemptions have been given anywhere in the state.
Mr Mickel and Maritime Safety Queensland officers inspected the proposed route of the Solar Coast Cats service on January 17.
"Following my observations on that occasion, Maritime Safety Queensland has my complete support for its decision to set the existing speed limits, which are based wholly on ensuring marine safety," the Minister said.
Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke on the Gold Coast City Council's own website in the The Mayor's Views 6 October 2007 in an item entitled "Solar cats not for us” says.
“This time though, despite my continuous support for the Gold Coast to have these solar cats operating so as to provide an environmentally attractive alternative transport system for some of our city, I have to agree with the Minister ( for Transport). He has explained how community safety must come first, and that no vehicle can be exempted from speed restrictions, whether they be on the road or a waterway.
It is a disappointment for sure, but the safety of the community must take priority.”
Queensland recently passed New South Wales as having the most registered vessels of anywhere in Australia.
The state has 220,000 registered recreational vessels and almost 6000 commercial ships, approximately 30,000 of those registered vessels are on the Gold Coast.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Shannon Mackay 3237 1125
February 14, 2008
Transport Minister John Mickel said as Maritime Safety Queensland had earlier advised, it was not possible to approve the application by the company, Solar Coast Cats.
Mr Mickel cited significant safety concerns when he confirmed to the company today that the state government had rejected the application made in July last year to operate ferries at speeds above established speed limits on Gold Coast waterways.
"Safety must be the first priority - and no-one should be exempted from speed limits whether they are on the states roads or the waterways," Mr Mickel said.
"The Queensland Government supports the proposed ferry service but requires that it be operated within the established legal speed limits in the interests of safety."
All existing ferry services throughout Queensland including Brisbane City Cats abide by set speed limits and no exemptions have been given anywhere in the state.
Mr Mickel and Maritime Safety Queensland officers inspected the proposed route of the Solar Coast Cats service on January 17.
"Following my observations on that occasion, Maritime Safety Queensland has my complete support for its decision to set the existing speed limits, which are based wholly on ensuring marine safety," the Minister said.
Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke on the Gold Coast City Council's own website in the The Mayor's Views 6 October 2007 in an item entitled "Solar cats not for us” says.
“This time though, despite my continuous support for the Gold Coast to have these solar cats operating so as to provide an environmentally attractive alternative transport system for some of our city, I have to agree with the Minister ( for Transport). He has explained how community safety must come first, and that no vehicle can be exempted from speed restrictions, whether they be on the road or a waterway.
It is a disappointment for sure, but the safety of the community must take priority.”
Queensland recently passed New South Wales as having the most registered vessels of anywhere in Australia.
The state has 220,000 registered recreational vessels and almost 6000 commercial ships, approximately 30,000 of those registered vessels are on the Gold Coast.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Shannon Mackay 3237 1125
February 14, 2008