Boat mooring review on the Gold Coast

The Draft Buoy Mooring Management Strategy from the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) aims to improve the use and amenity of the busy city waterways.

A key part of achieving this vision involves swing mooring areas to accommodate the Gold Coast’s rapidly increasing population and growth in vessel registrations. But not necessarily more moorings, the approach might actually be to create less.

The GCWA says it will also embrace new technology to reduce the impact of moorings on the marine environment and to provide safer moorings that are less prone to dragging in inclement weather.

Boaters are now invited to take part in a short survey seeking community feedback on GCWA’s Draft Buoy Mooring Management Strategy. Your views will help identify the final strategic approach taken by GCWA for the management of moorings in the future.

The long-term consultation process that has actively sought community views previously through the 2014 Buoy Mooring Review, which examined the way buoy moorings are installed, used and managed on the Gold Coast.

MOORING BUOY RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations from the 2014 Buoy Mooring Review included:
>> A moratorium be placed on granting any further approvals for new buoy mooring authorities (using traditional swing mooring technology) and new buoy mooring areas.
>> GCWA trials a Category 1 buoy mooring area(s) to provide a better mooring management model that maximises mooring opportunities and supports an appropriate and ongoing mooring maintenance program.
>> GCWA implements the use of better mooring technologies that effectively and sustainably support greater mooring densities (e.g. environmentally friendly moorings).
>> GCWA works with ‘Fisheries’ and ‘Parks’ to address mooring issues in Fish Habitat Areas (FHAs) and the ‘Marine Park’.
>> GCWA develops an implementation plan and a change management strategy that includes an information/education campaign and consultation with the boating community.

In 2015, GCWA conducted an Independent Review of the Labrador Channel, which focused on access and safe navigation in the Southern Broadwater. Extensive feedback received through these consultations, as well as discussions with impacted user groups, has contributed to the development of this draft strategy.

AFFORDABLE MOORINGS IN THE RIGHT SPOTS
On one hand, mooring buoys are a necessary affordable solution for boat owners. On the other hand, they can clog the waterways and adversely impact on safe navigation. Thus, a balance is needed with the input of boaters.

What's more, a moratorium on swing moorings means boaters will be driven to more expensive commercial marinas. Yachting interests also want clearer waterways to create a sailing stadium on the Gold Coast.

Putting rubbish boats or "mooring minders" on buoys or no boats at all is a waste of space. There are also issues about liveaboards and the environment. Future demand for mooring buoys needs to be identified and affordable solutions found.

The consultation period for GCWA’s Draft Buoy Mooring Management Strategy will remain open until Friday March 31, 2017.

More at Draft Buoy Mooring Management Strategy and this survey at Buoy Mooring Management Strategy Survey.