Feedback sought on Sydney safety
Draft plans for safety and storage open for commentMinister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay has urged Sydney’s boating community to submit its views on two key aspects of the management of boating on Australia’s busiest waterway.
The Draft Sydney Harbour Boating Safety Plan and the Draft Sydney Harbour Boat Storage Strategy are now open for public feedback Mr Gay said.
"Sydney Harbour is a busy waterway with significant recreational and commercial water traffic, as well as being an important part of the city’s identity and culture," Mr Gay said.
"We want to set the agenda for safety and management of this waterway to ensure it’s used in the best possible way."
"In the five years leading up to 2012 there were 514 reported incidents on this waterway, including six fatal incidents resulting in 11 fatalities.
"The most frequent causes of fatal and serious incidents were lack of judgement, not wearing lifejackets, and failing to keep a proper lookout.
"The Draft Boating Safety Plan also identifies excessive speed and wash as significant concerns among recreational boaters and the wider community on the Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers and Sydney Harbour, along with potential conflicts between rowers, paddlers and other recreational users with larger vessels.
"It is informed by the Sydney Harbour Speed Review, which provides an overview of vessel operating speeds and speed related risks on the Harbour.
"The number of boats stored in and around Sydney Harbour is expected to increase from 17,000 to more than 22,000 by 2021 and the draft Boat Storage Strategy seeks to identify the best way to accommodate that growth.
"We need to plan for a mix of facilities that can accommodate the variety of vessels," Mr Gay said.
“The draft plans provided an excellent opportunity for stakeholders to get involved in shaping the future of boating on this waterway," Mr Gay added.
Submissions to the Draft Sydney Harbour Boating Safety Plan and the Draft Sydney Harbour Boat Storage Strategy close at the end of May 2013.
To have your say on the draft plans, please send your comments to:
Office of Boating Safety and Maritime Affairs
Transport for NSW
PO Box K659,
Haymarket, NSW 1240.
Or email: obsma@transport.nsw.gov.au
Photo: Australian National Maritime Museum
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