Ferry cancelled due to bad weather

The Palm Beach Ferry Service cancelled its service between Wagstaffe, Ettalong and Palm Beach due to poor weather conditions on May 23.

Ferry service general manager Mr Matt Lloyd said he made the decision to cancel the service as a result of large swells and high winds along the coast.

Mr Lloyd said his decision to cancel the service was not a result of conditions at the entrance to Brisbane Water channel on the day.

"The swell direction was north to north east and the channel therefore was not a major factor in the cancellation of our services as the swell was not getting into the channel at Box Head," Mr Lloyd said.

"However, there is still a concern in the channel where the depth of water rises from 15 to four feet.

"This rapid rise causes water to break dangerously across the channel and is a major safety concern.

Mr Lloyd said he believed the conditions of the channel "had not changed a lot" over the past six months.

"It seems to have settled for the moment, all be it in quite a dangerous fashion," Mr Lloyd said.

"The channel now contains 45 degree bends in it and a navigation width of approximately 30 metres.

"These factors coupled with the tidal run are what makes this a dangerous scenario."

A notice of motion on planning for responsible dredging of Brisbane Water channel was put forward by Cr Peter Freewater at a council meeting on May 26.

Due to Cr Freewater's absence from the meeting the matter has been deferred until council's June 2 meeting.

Cr Freewater has proposed council provide consultants Cardno Lawson Treloar with recent hydrological surveys undertaken by NSW Maritime.

The consultants have developed a coastal lake assessment and modelling tool to assess sedimentation problems in Brisbane Water, according to Cr Freewater.

Along with several other proposals, Cr Freewater has also recommended the company consider whether or not its original dredging plan would still be adequate to address the navigation concerns at the entrance channel.

"Fingers crossed that the council will resolve something... but I will not be holding my breath," Mr Lloyd said.

Email, 26 May 2009 Matt Lloyd, Palm Beach Ferry Service Council agenda NM.12, 26 May 2009