❓ Concerns raised about the safety of the Canal Rocks boat ramp due to high swell conditions. The Department is reviewing access arrangements and consulting with various agencies to develop a plan for maintaining restricted access, especially during emergencies.
AnsweredQoN 2342Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to a report recently commissioned by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions - Parks and Wildlife into the future of the Canal Rocks boat ramp and ask: (a) is the Department considering a proposal to partially or fully close the Canal Rocks boat ramp; (b) if yes to (a), why is this being considered; (c) how does the Department plan to manage potential sea rescue emergencies in the event of any closure of the facility; (d) do other nearby boat launching facilities at Gnarabup, Gracetown and Hamelin Bay comply with the Australian Standards regarding maximum wave height requirements; and (e) if not, how is the Department managing the safety risks at these facilities and is the Department considering any partial or full closures at these ramps?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 February 2018
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
12 days
(a)-(e) Current public access arrangements for the Canal Rocks boat ramp and jetty will remain in place until a decision regarding the future of the facility has been made.
Access arrangements for this facility are currently the subject of review as a result of safety concerns raised by the Member for Vasse, Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue Group and others about the safety of using the facility in both low and high swell conditions. In response to these concerns, the former Department of Parks and Wildlife engaged M P Rogers and Associates in 2016 to undertake an independent study which explored several options for improving and managing the facility. The report concluded that without construction of substantial breakwaters, continued use of the facility presents a significant risk to public safety because for the vast majority of the time (estimated at 90 to 95 percent) ocean swells are greater than 0.2m, the safe limit prescribed in the current Australian standard.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is liaising with the City of Busselton, Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue Group, the Department of Transport, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and WA Police with the view to developing arrangements for maintaining restricted access to the facility particularly in the case of a marine emergency.
The boat launching facilities at Gnarabup and Gracetown are managed by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and are not the responsibility of DBCA. The Hamelin Bay boat ramp continues to be maintained by DBCA with regular maintenance and safety inspections undertaken. DBCA is not considering the closure of this ramp.
Access arrangements for this facility are currently the subject of review as a result of safety concerns raised by the Member for Vasse, Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue Group and others about the safety of using the facility in both low and high swell conditions. In response to these concerns, the former Department of Parks and Wildlife engaged M P Rogers and Associates in 2016 to undertake an independent study which explored several options for improving and managing the facility. The report concluded that without construction of substantial breakwaters, continued use of the facility presents a significant risk to public safety because for the vast majority of the time (estimated at 90 to 95 percent) ocean swells are greater than 0.2m, the safe limit prescribed in the current Australian standard.
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) is liaising with the City of Busselton, Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue Group, the Department of Transport, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and WA Police with the view to developing arrangements for maintaining restricted access to the facility particularly in the case of a marine emergency.
The boat launching facilities at Gnarabup and Gracetown are managed by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and are not the responsibility of DBCA. The Hamelin Bay boat ramp continues to be maintained by DBCA with regular maintenance and safety inspections undertaken. DBCA is not considering the closure of this ramp.
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