Call for action over abandoned boats

Abandoned and “parked” boats in Moreton Bay waterways have enraged residents – and triggered a clash between two tiers of government.

Moreton Bay City Council has called on the State Government (Maritime Safety Queensland) to “act upon its statutory obligation” to deal with vessels.

But a Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said: “MSQ has never relinquished its role in removing unseaworthy or abandoned vessels where necessary." 

It appears Council is applying its Community Standards for Public Land & Roads Local Law 2023, which restricts mooring in Council-controlled canals. 

Where mooring is not permitted, Council takes “appropriate action in accordance with the vessel being abandoned or occupied”.

But MSQ only removes "derelict vessels and wrecks" under the state-wide Keeping Our Waterways Safe Program.

“It should be understood MSQ cannot intervene where vessels are still seaworthy, are not presenting an obstruction to navigation or a marine pollution threat and are not abandoned by their owners,” the TMR spokesperson said.

MSQ says since 2018, 1754 abandoned or unseaworthy vessels have been “actioned” - 59 in Council's area. Of those, MSQ removed 35 and Council two.

This comes two months after residents living beside Jabiru Canal at Newport called for action over boats using the waterway as a free ‘campsite’.

Council rangers put “abandoned vessel” notices with compliance actions on vessels in the canal, despite some being moved and then returning.

Mayor Peter Flannery said: “At the moment they (MSQ) are refusing to deal with abandoned ships in our waterways, causing issues for us and residents”.

Moreton Daily asked Council for details of the situations/circumstances in which MSQ “refused” to deal with the “abandoned ships”. 

Also, which waterways the vessels were in, their condition (abandoned, sinking, parked), why Council removed the boats and what reason MSQ gave for not taking similar action?

Council did not provide answers but said it the issue is a “significant cost to ratepayers” and a “State Government remit”.

TMR said under state legislation, owners are responsible for maintaining vessels in a seaworthy condition or removing them from Queensland waters.

“Where owners fail to live up to this responsibility MSQ and other agencies, including local government, have powers to remove their vessels,” a TMR spokesperson said.

“Where other agencies have management powers in a waterway or are able to more readily deal with a derelict and abandoned vessel, MSQ will liaise with those agencies with a view to resolving the matter more quickly.

“It (MSQ) will continue removing them under its Keeping Our Waterways Safe Program, which received $15 million further funding in the State Budget.

“MSQ’s marine officers continue to regularly monitor waterways in the Moreton Bay Regional Council area to identify any vessels at risk of becoming derelict and abandoned.”

If there is no breach under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 or the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995, MSQ has no grounds to take action.

Moreton Bay City Councillors have backed a motion to be considered for possible inclusion at the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference in October.

It calls on the “State Government (MSQ) to act upon its statutory obligation to deal with abandoned ships under section 175A of the Transport Operations (Maritime Safety) Act 1994 and undertake proactive compliance”.