By Margaret Maccoll
Noosa Coast Guard is calling on the State Government to provide lights on marker buoys in Noosa River to prevent them becoming navigation hazards and subjects of damage by water craft at night.
Coast Guard Commander Andrew Leak said only two months ago a boat struck one of the marker buoys at night and dragged it along the river.
The damaged buoy ended up further down the river, with the metal post half-submerged and protruding at an angle from the water.
He said with only narrow areas of deep water to navigate in some stretches, it wasn’t long before a passing boat was pierced by the post and started to take on water.
He said under Maritime regulations Noosa River did not qualify as a major port and therefore its beacons were not required to be lit.
But with increasing river traffic and boats regularly travelling the river at night without lights, the unlit buoys were a safety hazard, he said.
The Coast Guard suggested the installation of solar lighting would address the problem.
Last Tuesday Noosa MP Glen Elmes and Deputy Leader of the LNP and Nanango MP Deb Frecklington joined the Coast Guard for an inspection tour of the Noosa River.
Mr Elmes also discussed with Ms Frecklington a proposal “trained officers” from Noosa Council share inspection and enforcement powers of Noosa River with the State Government under a memorandum of understanding.
“Presently there are six government ministers who have some degree of responsibility for the Noosa River,” he said.
“In order to prioritise this management opportunity it is suggested that one senior minister be appointed, most probably the Minister for Main Roads and Transport, to negotiate with council on behalf of the government.”
