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Community feedback has confirmed the need for a lower speed limit at Hillarys Boat Harbour and a new motor boating prohibited zone at Marmion to improve safety for people enjoying the coastline between Two Rocks and North Fremantle.

Department of Transport (DoT) Manager Navigational Safety and Moorings Mark Briant said in February people had been given an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes and improvements to the management of the coastline following the release of the North Metropolitan Aquatic Use Review.

He said that while most of the current on-water arrangements north of Perth were working well there was still room for improvement and people had supported the key changes proposed in the review.

The changes will see a reduction from 6 knots to 5 knots in the speed restricted zone at Hillarys Boat Harbour from today.

“A 5 knot speed restriction is consistent with other small boat harbours in WA and will increase navigational safety at one of the State’s busiest boat harbours,” Mr Briant said.

At Marmion Beach a new area closed to motorised vessels will provide greater safety for users of the recently completed dive trail.

“The area will be in waters adjacent to the Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club and implemented by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) within the Marmion Marine Park as part of the Marmion Beach Dive Trail,” Mr Briant said. 

As part of the review DoT also consulted with key stakeholders, including the DBCA and the Marmion Angling and Aquatic Club.

"The purpose of the review was to ensure the safe, equitable and sustainable use of the coastline continues as the area’s population grows and demand increases for a variety of aquatic activities,” Mr Briant said.

Mr Briant said the feedback received ensured the changes reflected local community views.

For more information about the aquatic reviews visit the DoT website.

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au

Major upgrades, replacements and planning for future works to improve recreational boating facilities throughout WA will go ahead with an increased allocation of $2.5 million in State Government funding.

Ten projects have been successful in securing funding in the latest round of the Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme (RBFS) managed by the Department of Transport (DoT).

To continue reading the media statement please visit the link below.

Funding ramps up for boat facilities in WA communities

Speed restrictions, increasing the size the water ski area at Gantheaume Bay and a plan to better accommodate local commercial operators are part of proposed changes to improve safety for people enjoying the coastline at Broome.

Department of Transport (DoT) Kimberley Operations Manager Daren Hutchins said people could now provide feedback on the proposals and suggest other improvements to the management of the coastline as part of the Broome Aquatic Use Review. 

He said the proposals were the result of initial consultation with key stakeholders, including the Kimberley Ports Authority, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and local commercial operators.

"The purpose of the review is to ensure the safe, equitable and sustainable use of the coastline as the area’s population grows and demand increases for a variety of aquatic activities,” Mr Hutchins said.

Proposed changes include:
• Increase the current 8 knot area within Gantheaume Bay to encompass Broome Port moorings to ensure skippers travel at a safe speed.
• Reduce southern boundary of the Closed Waters Motorised Vessels area by 255 metres to better accommodate commercial operations in Gantheaume Bay.
• Increase the size of the Water Ski area within Gantheaume Bay north of the new 8 knot area and south of the Closed Waters Motorised Vessels area (Cable Beach) to simplify the boundaries for users.
• Increase the 8 knot area within the Broome Port from Entrance Point to Town Beach covering all of the mooring locations to ensure skippers travel at a safe speed.
• Remove the historic Personal Water Craft (PWC) Freestyling Prohibited areas at Gantheaume and Roebuck Bay to enable greater recreational aquatic activities.
• Consider the future requirement of the Entrance Point leads for ongoing navigation.

Mr Hutchins said feedback from regular users of the coastline would be considered to ensure any changes reflected local community views.

For more information about the aquatic review, make a comment on the proposals or participate in a survey about the changes visit My Say Transport.  

Comment on the proposals is sought until the end of January 2020.

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au