Why is the channel not a Government priority?

With 600 moorings, 500 jetties, 41,000 boats, 103,000 licences and a $1M annual income stream Why isn't Brisbane Water's entry channel a State Government priority?

The NSW Regional Boating plan states that the Pittwater, Hawkesbury and Brisbane Water region is the largest region for boating in NSW generating the most revenue in licences and registrations in the state.

The region also has a highest proportion of larger boats.

This plan emphasises boating safety and recognises that the channel at Lobster Beach has a problem, the channel has become so narrow and shallow that regular groundings are common and even ferry drivers who are very familiar with the channel are having difficulties.

So how the Priorities in the NSW Coastal Dredging Strategy have been determined is astoundingly illogical.

Some of the priority areas on the Strategy map are at Mooball Creek, Wooli River, Bellingen River, Nambucca River, Harrington and Moruya River.

Boating occurs on these rivers but they are not accessible to displacement or keeled vessels.

Foster-Tuncurry has a small harbour with about16 berths but access upstream is restricted by a bridge and shallows and is only accessible to shallow draft vessels.

The Manning River has a local fishing fleet of about 15 trawlers.

Meanwhile Brisbane Water has over 600 moorings, 500 wharves and jetties and 41,000 registered boats and 103,000 boat licences and a commercial ferry service.

Yet the NSW Department of Industry-Lands has advised that Brisbane water does not qualify to become a priority.

Where is the logic here?

A commercial ferry service to Ettalong from Palm Beach uses the channel, carrying commuters, school children and day tripping tourists.

It is estimated that approximately 200,000 visitors come to the area each year on the ferry.

This service may have to cease due to the unsafe depth and width of the channel.

The economic loss of the service will cost the local community millions of dollars annually.

Boating groups and clubs come to Brisbane Water for boating activities of sailing fishing and touring.

They spend time and money in the area.

Safer navigation and improved accessibility to existing facilities will increase the visitation helping local economic growth.

The NSW government has invested over a million dollars (matched by Council) in numerous boat ramps, wharf and jetty facilities in Brisbane Waterthrough grants under the Better Boating Program.

What is the point of these improvement if there is no safe access to make use of them?

There is strong support from the local community for channel improvements and for beach improvements.

The issue having been on the local radio and in local papers daily.

This channel was first used by explorers in1789 and charted then by Captain Hunter.

Shipbuilding was an early industry in the area and those ships went out the channel.

For most of the time the channel has allowed access to vessels of 2.0 metre draft and vessels of 2.5 metre draft could access the area by working the tides.

The Channel improvement has been included as a priority in the Coastal Zone Management Plan for Brisbane Water, approved by the NSW Government.

Yet we are not a priority on the Dredging Strategy where is the logic?

The sand that is removed from the channel can be placed on the greatly eroded Ettalong and OceanBeach to nourish them.

The frequency of the need for dredging has not been high as the channel has been stable for long periods.

The current situation is believed to be the worst in 50 years.

If the work is done properly the recurrent need is estimated to be around seven to 10 years.

The following criteria included in the Dredging Strategy are met by the dredging proposal: Economic benefit; safer navigation; nourishment of beaches; tourism promotion; strong support from the local community; complies with Coastal Zone Management Plan; considerable investment has been made by the NSW government in local facilities.

The local boat owners have made a large contribution to government income through licences and registrations is estimated to be approximately $1 million per year from the Brisbane Water area.

What could possibly be the reason that this entrance is not a priority for dredging to improve safety and accessibility and economic growth?

Hopefully the NSW government will see the sense in making this channel a priority for inclusion in the NSW Coastal Dredging Strategy before a tragedy occurs.

Email, 22 Mar 2018

David Neate, Mount Kuring-Gai