By JOLENE OGLE
More than 100 locals turned out for the Noosa River Forum last night (Thursday 16 July) at the Noosa Boathouse Restaurant.
Hosted by Noosa Residents and Ratepayers Association (NRRA) president Brian Stockwell, the forum focused on the Noosa River, what action the council was taking to address a number of community concerns, as well as asking the locals what issues mattered to them.
By the end of the evening a long list of issues had been collated including pollution concerns from the run-off from vehicles using Gympie Terrace and other streets along the river, the sustainability of marine life, and the use of pump-out stations and the possible dumping of waste in the river.
The list contained 15 issues in total that were all suggested by the community or guest speakers, but the night wasn’t without finger pointing with the audience divided on who was to blame for the pollution of the river, with anger was directed at “boaties”, visitors and houseboat owners.
Coast Guard deputy commander Andrew Leek said there were serious safety issues when it came to boats using the river.
“Last night (Wednesday 15 July) I took some trainees out to do some night navigation and during that time I counted 11 vessels … totally contravening international rules. That was, not one of them had a light on,” he said.
“Seven more vessels were using solar panel lights that did not have a distance radius of three nautical miles. We can’t see them at night time.
“If we’re called out on an emergency and we need to go down the river above our normal six knots … we need to know that river is clear so we can assist one of the community and help save a life.”
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 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.
The group decided to channel their ideas and suggestions into the Council’s Your Say portal and the coming Community Jury, as the 24-person jury prepares to tackle the topic of the Noosa River.
