Gold Coast Broadwater expands

Dredging is not required to extend the Labrador Channel, according to the findings of an independent review report released on Friday (February 12) by the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA).

Visiting the Gold Coast, Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports, Mark Bailey, said the independent review also showed the Gold Coast community supported plans to extend the channel.

"These further investigations have found that dredging is not required, instead the channel extension can be achieved solely through the installation of navigational aids," Mr Bailey said.

"The Broadwater is used by so many people, locals and visitors alike, for a wide range of water-based activities. This review had delivered a positive outcome for the majority of those waterways users."

Mr Bailey said the review undertook both reserach and public consultation to ensure all aspects of the extension were considered.

"The review considered issues around safety, environment, accessibility, waterways planning and also community views on the Labrador Channel extension. It also involved interviews with interest groups and an online public survey, which attracted 469 responses," Mr Bailey said.

The independent review was requested by Mr Bailey in June 2015, in light of community concerns about the proposed plans, and following discussions with the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) and the Australian Live-aboard Association.

Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) CEO Hal Morris said that the Broadwater is a complex shared space enjoyed by a wide variety of users each wanting to enjoy the waterway at different times for a wide range of activities which often results in competing requirements and interests.

Mr Morris said the Board had recently approved a comprehensive consultation and stakeholder engagement strategy that encouraged greater community involvement.

"The review identified that the community desired greater consultation, engagement and additional information on waterways plans, such as how the channel would be implemented, how moorings would be transitioned and safety requirements for the area.

"We believe effective and meaningful consultation is critical to managing our waterways and to understanding the needs and wants of the community."

Mr Morris said with the completion of the independent review, the GCWA would now seek to extend the Labrador Channel following the existing deep water.

"We will be gradually reducing the moorings in the area west of the Main Channel as tenants permanently leave their moorings and by relocating vessels to other mooring fields wherever possible," Mr Morris said.

The Labrador Channel Extension is part of the Gold Coast Waterways Authority's strategic planning for the Broadwater. Planning includes delivery of the Two Channel Strategy which forms part of GCWA's 10 Years Waterways Management Strategy and GCWA Speed Limit Review (August 2014).

The report of the Independent Review into the Labrador Channel Extension, was undertaken by global consultancy, Aurecon Australasia Pty Ltd and is available on the GCWA website as http://www.gcwa.qld.gov.au/

The Australian Live-aboard Association says: "the GCWA appear to be obsessed with the removal of moorings on the western side of the Broadwater but will not say why. This mooring field is the only significant mooring field in the Southern Broadwater. There is a massive waiting list for moorings. The waterways of Sydney are full of moorings with access facilities provided by council and the waterways authority, however, the GCWA wish to remove a cost effective means for Gold Coast residents to own and moor vessels."

The Australian Live-aboard Association is still hopeful that the revitalised GCWA Board will review the mooring management and removal strategy in the interests of promoting the Gold Coast as a boat friendly destination for new boat owners, existing boat owners and travellers from interstate and overseas.

But when you look at the calibre of boats on the moorings here, well, they look like pretty sad. Surely, more navigable waters and channels in the Broadwater would be the benefit of many more people. As the boating population grows on the Gold Coast, the liveaboards' days will be numbered.

www.gcwa.qld.gov.au