2021-01-18 GC - Item 2 - Attachment 3 - Consultation Report River Plan Version 2 (2019-20)

                              particular through the lower-level objective to extend “sustainable land-use management” practices (somehow, through fostering “whole of catchment”
                              approaches, perhaps especially in riparian areas). In the logical framework, the higher objectives should be pushed up, above the lower-level objective.

Boating Industry    The BIA is the peak industry body in Australia which represents the interests of the boating industry, advocates for the boating public and supports safe, responsible
Association (BIA)   and enjoyable boating. Boating is a way of life for many Australian families and that applies to the Noosa region in South East Queensland with its range of rivers,
                    lakes, estuarine areas and access to the ocean. The vast majority of boating in the area occurs in family runabouts and small sail, and paddle craft. Boating on the
                    Noosa waterways delivers social benefits for people of all ages, gender and ability; spanning the following: recreational and commercial participation in paddle,
                    power and sail. It also supports: the economy; business; employment; tourism; environmental outcomes; and public health and well-being. In summary the BIA
                    support:
                         -    Safe, responsible and enjoyable boating – across paddle, power and sail – for the social, economic and environmental benefits that it can provide.
                              This promotion should be delivered through an appropriate balance of regulation, education and compliance.
                              Boating can deliver benefits across this ‘triple bottom line’ from improved mental and physical health, support for local business and local jobs, to low-
                              impact access to the environment and more.
                         -    An evidence-based approach to management of the waterways that delivers social, economic and environmental benefits.
                              Statistics used to inform and guide policy, and strategy must be relevant to the waterway and accumulated over ideally 10 years to support appropriate
                              trend analysis. For example, the use of state-wide statistics regarding boat strike on turtles should be replaced with any such statistics for the Noosa River
                              to ensure relevance for any proposed counter measures.
                              Appropriate data must be collected that supports policy, regulation, education and compliance; this should cover type/time/area data relating to vessels
                              such as activity, incidents (safety/ pollution), complaints, visitation trends (type of vessel, postcode of origin etc.), tourism, business, economic benefit and
                              demographics. This data/ statistics collection should also include Climate Change trends.
                         -    Marine Safety Queensland (MSQ)/ Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to lead on vessel management on the waterway.
                              MSQ/ TMR manage the statutory framework for safe and responsible boating state-wide.
                              The state marine safety agency should lead in boating safety and infrastructure to ensure consistency and avoid duplication, confusion and additional red
                              tape when it comes to boating – especially regarding public safety.
                              MSQ is under new leadership and is already taking measures to step up compliance and education in the Noosa area.
                              Meanwhile MSQ/TMR to step up education and compliance activity with immediate effect.
                         -    MSQ/TMR to develop a Noosa – Regional Boating Plan which should be evidence-based and apply a Safe System approach i.e., safe people, safe
                              vessels and safe waterways.
                              This plan should encompass safe navigation (i.e. water traffic) and maritime infrastructure (i.e. access and storage).
                              The aim should be less clutter from anchoring/ mooring, improved environmental outcomes, improved infrastructure to support safe and convenient access
                              for people of all ages and abilities, and a culture of safer boating.
                              Such a Plan could well set a new benchmark in local waterway strategic management for the State and Noosa could be used as the pilot for such a
                              program that would deliver ongoing benefits state-wide.
                              Council should recommend to MSQ the establishment of a Noosa Waterways Boating Advisory Group that could help inform development and delivery of a
                              Noosa – Regional Boating Plan.

                    Additional to comments made under Sustainable Use and Enjoyment–
                    Action 1.
                    No other Council in the State has such as role and BIA does not support the proposal to handover these responsibilities to Council as that would result in duplication
                    of processes; a likely ‘bubble effect’ regarding state wide responsibilities for safe navigation, maritime products and services, and maritime infrastructure support;
                    likely confusion amongst stakeholders regarding who is managing maritime issues such as safe navigation including responsibilities under the International Maritime
                    Organisation (IMO) International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 and other state statutes. For example, Maritime Safety Queensland and the
                    Department of Transport and Main Roads jointly administer the following maritime legislation in Queensland:
                          -     Maritime Safety Queensland Act 2002
                          -     Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994
                          -     Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2016
                          -     Transport Operations (Marine Safety—Queensland Regulated Ships Miscellaneous Equipment) Standard 2017
                          -     Transport Operations (Marine Safety—Domestic Commercial Vessel National Law Application) Act 2016
                          -     Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995
                          -     Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Regulation 2018
                          -     Transport Infrastructure (Waterways Management) Regulation 2012
                    In addition, there is the Federal role that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority manages under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act
                    2012. AMSA consequently manages vessel survey and operations, and crew certification for such vessels which include hire and drive, charter, ferries, commercial
                    fishing vessels.
                    Setting up Council to run a ‘bubble’ regulatory approach would likely lead to:
                    Additional costs (as Council does not have an appropriate system or structure in place to deal with boating at a suitable level (incl., of boating expertise) in HR, IT,
                    Policy, Strategy, Capital Assets, Operating/ Compliance expenditure etc.);
                    Inconsistencies, confusion and or duplication of systems, products, programs and services to support safe and responsible boating;
                    Confusion regarding the designated ‘combat agency’ response to marine pollution events; and
                    Reduced capability to fund local programs, as the State agency can move resources and programs to meet demand and maximise efficiencies.
                    Action 3.
                    The Federal Govt announced the intention to support a new approach to recycling in Australia. The BIA has engaged the Federal Government on the issue of
                    including recycling of vessels as part of this program.
                    If a vessel has no holding tank then people should not be licensed/ permitted to live aboard and there must be compliance/ audit of same to ensure any vessel
                    licensed or permitted to be used as live aboard is complying i.e., any discharge of untreated sewage into the waterway should be dealt with by the full weight of the
                    law.
                    A Boating Infrastructure Strategy is required and it needs to be delivered and funded by the State Govt who has state-wide responsibilities for boating.
                    BIA supports a system where funds raised by boating are ploughed back into boating.
                    Infrastructure must be built with safe navigation in mind along with the triple bottom line of Social, Economic and Environmental Benefits.
                    ‘Unseaworthy’ - whilst the application of the term can include subjective elements and encompass ability of master and crew, in general it describes a vessels which
                    is unfit for a sea voyage (of a boat or ship) not in a good enough condition to sail on the sea, or not ‘reasonably fit in all respects to encounter the ordinary perils of
                    the seas of the adventure insured (Dixon v Sadler (1839)). Unseaworthy criteria would include the following - unable to complete a voyage, as is and under its
                    intended and designed method of propulsion (e.g., sail, paddle or power) without undue risk of capsize, sinking, polluting the waters or causing death or injury to a
                    person.
                    Action 5.
                    MSQ should lead and deliver on this matter with support from Council for the similar reasons outlined under response to #2 and 3. Especially, looking to the
                    regulation, education and compliance model applied to anchoring, mooring and living aboard in other states such as NSW (where living on board is basically
                    prohibited). Consider having moorings managed by commercial operators such as marinas that would deliver better social, economic and environmental outcomes.
                    Action 12.
                    Council should apply innovation and solutions which are customer focused. For example, look to sustainable boating solutions such as minimal wash, electric water
                    taxis such as those being trialled in Europe.
                    Promote water activities such as boat hire across power, paddle and sail.
                    Encourage water tourism that is delivered by professional operations.
                    Encourage the use of boating infrastructure such as boat storage, marinas which can deliver social, economic and environmental benefits. Be innovative,
                    collaborative and solutions and customer focused.

                    To address Council’s invitation posted on its consultation pages of its website to ‘provide any other comments you would like’, the following is offered for
                    consideration in review of the draft Plan:
                    Social Benefit



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