Community group seeks owners of 'abandoned' boats

The Bays Community Group is seeking the owners of 17 boats that have been left on the waterfront at the end of Bassan St, Woy Woy Bay.

"Over the years the number of boats left at the end of Bassan St has steadily increased," said group president Ms Gwynneth Weir.

"There are now 17 boats there, many of which have not moved in years.

"The Committee is aware that this is an issue of concern.

"Many members of the community have expressed the view that they would love this to be a place to sit, relax and enjoy the view but at the moment boats are filling this space and there is no hope of having a seat installed.

"We have over 550 properties in The Bays and, at the moment, 17 boat owners are occupying this space which should be available for so many more to enjoy as well.

"If you do have a boat there please ensure that it is stored such that the rest of the community is able to enjoy the space."

Ms Weir said that in March the committee had contacted the council about the number of apparently abandoned boats left on public land around The Bays.

She said council staff eventually replied, stating: "There is a procedure that Council must undertake before the boats can be removed.

"This includes placing stickers on the offending items to notify the owners that they may be removed.

"This is to be carried out by Council's Rangers.

"We have now asked the Rangers to attend to the items at Raymond Rd.

"As staff numbers have now been reduced, that the issue hasn't been granted a high priority."

Ms Weir said: "Despite this less than hopeful response, boats in several locations around The Bays that looked to have been abandoned were 'stickered' by the council.

"However, it would appear that the boats at the end of Bassan St were not included in this exercise.

"We have now contacted the Council again to look specifically at the boats at the end of Bassan St.

"The Council does have a policy regarding Watercraft Storage on Public Land Policy.

"The key points of the policy are that boats are allowed to be stored on public land if they are seaworthy, not abandoned and are not preventing the public from accessing the land."

SOURCE:

Newsletter, 14 Sep 2021

Gwynneth Weir, The Bays Community Group