By JOLENE OGLE
BUOYED by the great spirit of co-operation shown between all the community groups participating in the recent Noosa River Forum, the Noosa Shire Residents and Ratepayers Association has announced it will take the priority issues from the forum to the State Government.
The association’s president Brian Stockwell said it was clear at the forum that the highest priority issue was that the State Government “isn’t doing its job properly”.
“While there was strong support for the concept of Noosa Council assuming regulatory powers over some aspects of river management, it was clear the vast majority of the forum felt State Government has been neglecting its compliance duties for many years with respect to river safety, seaworthiness inspections of moored vessels and pump out requirements for live-on-board vessels,” Mr Stockwell said.
“Our first point of call will be taking the area manager of Marine Safety Queensland (MSQ) up on his offer to meet with a small delegation.
“I think it will be important that he hear the concerns from the yacht and rowing club and the volunteer coastguard about the impacts of the current clutter of moorings… their reports of 11 unseaworthy boats on the river that can’t be seen at night… inadequately moored boats that break their moorings, causing damage to other craft and putting the safety of people using the river at risk.”
Mr Stockwell said once the group had found out what MSQ can offer, they would go to the local member and relevant ministers in a bid to ensure adequate resources were available for action to be taken.
Mr Stockwell said the priorities on the night included scientifically based action to bring back fish and aquatic biodiversity to the Noosa River system; enhanced management of nutrients and sediment in the Kin Kin Creek Catchment; addressing water pollution from road and stormwater run-off and human waste in the densely populated and well-used lower reaches of the river and ecological approaches to the treatment of riverbank retreat and erosion along the river.
The forum was held on Thursday night (16 July) with more than 100 locals turning out to have their say on the Noosa River.
Noosa Councillors, local fishermen, boat owners and environmentalists were among the gathered group who worked together to create a list of issues that require action.
Noosa Council director of planning and infrastructure Martin Drydale also spoke at the forum and said the council was in talks with the State Government about the possibility of the council taking on responsibility for the river.
Mr Drydale said the council was concerned with four main issues surrounding the river; pollution from vessels, visual amenity, commercial leases and unrestricted use of anchoring and live-aboards.
“Basically, you can anchor anywhere with very little restrictions,” he said.
Mr Drydale said Maritime Safety Queensland, which is based in Maroochydore, was only conducting irregular checks of the river at this point.
“We are well aware there is minimal compliance activity and checks ongoing by the State.
“We do know that… basically, the main basis for their compliance checks is based around Mooloolaba so it’s only irregularly they get up here to do any compliance checking,” he said.
There was also a strong focus on houseboats on the river as Mr Drydale said there were currently 17 active live-aboard permits but the last one was issued in 2004, meaning no new permits had been assigned for 11 years.
The group seemed divided on the issue with some slamming live-aboard boats claiming the owners refused to use dumping points preferring to dump their waste into the river, while others called on compassion reminding the forum that people living on boats were “real people, good people” and some were doing the right thing.
Some of the suggestions from the community included a mobile waste pumping boat that visited all houseboats, or floating toilets and rubbish bins made from recycled houseboats.
