❓ Hon Adele Farina questions the Minister for Transport regarding safety concerns at the Bunbury Cut due to a sandbar. The Minister outlines remedial works undertaken and safety measures in place, clarifying the cut is not a designated navigation channel.
AnsweredQoN 1062Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BUNBURY CUT
1062. Hon ADELE FARINA to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the cut in Bunbury.
(1) Is the
minister aware that sea rescue services have been instructed not to go to the
aid of recreational boats in difficulty in the cut due to the dangerous
conditions created by the sandbar that has developed in the area?
(2) Has any remedial work commenced
to correct the sandbar?
(3) If yes to (2), what are the
works and when will they be completed?
(4) If no to (2), why not, and when
will remedial works commence and be completed?
(5) What safety
measures have been put in place to protect the boating community until remedial
work at the cut is completed?
1062. Hon ADELE FARINA to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the cut in Bunbury.
(1) Is the
minister aware that sea rescue services have been instructed not to go to the
aid of recreational boats in difficulty in the cut due to the dangerous
conditions created by the sandbar that has developed in the area?
(2) Has any remedial work commenced
to correct the sandbar?
(3) If yes to (2), what are the
works and when will they be completed?
(4) If no to (2), why not, and when
will remedial works commence and be completed?
(5) What safety
measures have been put in place to protect the boating community until remedial
work at the cut is completed?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some
notice of this question.
(1) The
Department of Transport understands that the local volunteer sea rescue service
had implemented a self-imposed ban on operating at the cut.
(2) Yes.
(3) The
Department of Transport undertook emergency works to repair the breached
breakwater at the cut in May 2014. This interim repair has subsequently seen
the recently formed sandbar inside this drainage channel significantly reduce
and deepen and it continues to do so. The Department of Transport is
periodically surveying this waterway to monitor change. The sandbar outside the
entrance to the cut has always been present and there has been little change to
that feature as a result of either the breach or the repair. The Department of
Transport has completed an assessment of all the rock structures at the cut.
(4) Not
applicable.
(5) The cut is
not a designated navigation channel and is primarily a drainage structure.
Safety measures to protect the boating community who choose to use this channel
include the Department of Transport's local boating guide, including a
caution relating to the cut, ''The entrance to the Cut can be extremely
dangerous. Mariners are advised that breaking seas and tidal flow may be
hazardous to navigation.''
A temporary notice to mariners
continues to be maintained advising of risks at the cut; signage is in place at
local boat ramps advising that the cut is not recommended for navigation; and
signage has been placed on the rock structures at the cut stating that the cut
is not recommended for navigation. Planned additional safety measures,
including a direct mail-out to boaters in the Bunbury area advising of the
risks at the cut, is in preparation; and an article will be included in the
next boating communities newsletter referring to the updated temporary notice
to mariners.
notice of this question.
(1) The
Department of Transport understands that the local volunteer sea rescue service
had implemented a self-imposed ban on operating at the cut.
(2) Yes.
(3) The
Department of Transport undertook emergency works to repair the breached
breakwater at the cut in May 2014. This interim repair has subsequently seen
the recently formed sandbar inside this drainage channel significantly reduce
and deepen and it continues to do so. The Department of Transport is
periodically surveying this waterway to monitor change. The sandbar outside the
entrance to the cut has always been present and there has been little change to
that feature as a result of either the breach or the repair. The Department of
Transport has completed an assessment of all the rock structures at the cut.
(4) Not
applicable.
(5) The cut is
not a designated navigation channel and is primarily a drainage structure.
Safety measures to protect the boating community who choose to use this channel
include the Department of Transport's local boating guide, including a
caution relating to the cut, ''The entrance to the Cut can be extremely
dangerous. Mariners are advised that breaking seas and tidal flow may be
hazardous to navigation.''
A temporary notice to mariners
continues to be maintained advising of risks at the cut; signage is in place at
local boat ramps advising that the cut is not recommended for navigation; and
signage has been placed on the rock structures at the cut stating that the cut
is not recommended for navigation. Planned additional safety measures,
including a direct mail-out to boaters in the Bunbury area advising of the
risks at the cut, is in preparation; and an article will be included in the
next boating communities newsletter referring to the updated temporary notice
to mariners.
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