NSW to get on-water 'reform'

Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay has announced the start of a two-year strategy to reform NSW Government on-water compliance operations.

Mr Gay said the new Marine Compliance Taskforce will coordinate the on-water activities of agencies including Roads and Maritime Services, Fisheries NSW, the NSW Police Force, the NSW Environment Protection Authority and the Marine Estate Management Authority.

"These agencies have 227 vessels worth around $36 million, 249 on-water compliance staff and 119 motor vehicles," Mr Gay said.

The Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mike Gallacher said the taskforce will prepare and implement a two-year strategic plan which will include trialling agency integration on Botany Bay and at Tweed Heads.

"One of the main aspects of the trials will be joint patrols, with officers from agencies sharing vessels to carry out their on-water compliance duties. Planning for the trials is now under way and more details will be available closer to their start," Minister Gallacher said.

"Let’s be very clear -- this is not about reducing front-line services. It is about building operational capacity and effectiveness while maintaining existing service levels," he said.

Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson said consultation with employees and other parties will be an important part of the taskforce’s work.

"To ensure their opinions and perspectives are considered in the reform," Ms Hodgkinson said.

"Any savings generated by this process will be put back into marine compliance and safety programs, such as education initiatives, safety campaigns and targeted enforcement operations," she said.

Under the two-year plan the Taskforce will also develop a procedure and training program for officers to exercise shared powers; develop and implement common procurement and maintenance policies for marine assets; and approve procurement through these new policies.