Parks checking on port risks USERS of Port Phillip and Western Port are being asked to tell Parks Victoria about any risks they know about in either bay. The feedback may be added to the safety and environment management plan (SEMP) covering the two bays and Port Campbell. “Our local ports feature unique marine habitats that have been recognised internationally for their diversity and we want to make sure we are serving the community and our marine environment as best we possibly can,” Parks Victoria senior manager local ports and waterways Victor Teoh said. “We’re keen to hear from a whole range of people who use or enjoy Port Phillip, Western Port or Port Campbell. Whether you’re a swimmer, a recreational boat operator or even a resident living nearby, we’d like to hear your thoughts on our safety and environment management plan and how we can ensure the best outcomes for safety and the environment.” The draft plan released for public comment says the state government sees climate change as a major risk to the environment, “our way of life and our economy”. It says port environments could be adversely affected by heatwaves, accelerated erosion events, sea level rise and coastal impacts. “Long term and immediate impacts of extreme weather are becoming more common and severe,” the plan states.
“The challenge is to provide a safe and reliable service offer by maintaining boating channels, aids to navigational equipment, piers, and jetties, break walls and launching facilities. “Local port environments will also be effected by climate change with coastal land forms, habitats, flora and fauna experiencing more rapid change.” Statistics show more than 70 million people visit Parks Victoria’s three “local” ports with 58.9 million in Port Phillip, 8.7 million in Western Port and 3.2 million at Port Campbell. “Parks Victoria manages local port infrastructure and facilities across a diverse range of commercial and recreational activities,” Mr Teoh said. “Managing the interaction of these activities and the supporting infrastructure is challenging and resource intensive and this is a great opportunity to provide feedback about the future management of safety and conservation on the water.” The three ports include 40 piers, wharves and jetties; 2500 moorings and berths; 1000 navigational aids as well as dredged channels, harbours, slipways, breakwaters, sea walls and launching sites within the local ports. The final draft of the Safety and Environment Management Plan and details about how to submit are available at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au The deadline for submissions is 18 March 2016. Call Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au
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Spirited waves
Picture: John Remington
Flare blamed for boat loss AN accidently discharged flare may have caused a fire at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, Saturday, which destroyed three boats and burned a man’s face. CFA crews from Sorrento, Rosebud and Rye attended the incident at 2.30pm. Thick black smoke billowed from the boats which were tied up at the marina. Some members trained hoses on the blaze in a desperate effort to stop it spreading to neighbouring boats. CFA District 8 Operations Officer John Francis said firefighters from CFA and Coast Guard took 30 minutes to control the blaze. “Two boats were destroyed, another was severely damaged and another four to five were scorched in the blaze,” he said. The number of boats
lost was later put at three. A man in his 70s, who may have accidently started the fire, received minor burns and was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken by ambulance to Frankston hospital. He was discharged on Monday. Victoria Police, Maritime Safety and WorkSafe attended the incident in which the thick black smoke was fanned by strong south-west winds. Club general manager Amanda Jacobs praised the efforts of a work team which managed to drag two of the boats away from the marina, helping confine it. They later sank. She said a club internal debriefing session would examine the causes of the fire and the response, and work towards minimising future fire threats.
LARGE waves allegedly caused by the Spirit of Tasmania toppled a kayak and sent what a witness says were “15 large tidal surges” across the bay at Dromana, McRae, Rosebud and Rye, Sunday 21 February. Mt Eliza resident Jack Silloray, who was kayaking 50 metres offshore from his family’s McRae beach box, said the ship was going too fast and whipped up the waves in its wake, at 10am. He said he saw “large tsunami-like waves” rapidly approaching and was toppled by the last one, despite facing them and paddled towards them. He was wearing a lifejacket. “It was like Gunnamatta in the bay,” he said. “I have never seen the ship go that fast; it was full pelt. “I could see that the nippers sailing nearby were alarmed by the bell from the Rosebud Lifesaving Club warning of an approaching large wave.” Mr Silloray queried whether the vessel was speed-limited in the South Channel which is close to beaches. “The immediate concern was the size of the tidal surges so close to swimmers and, more importantly, the threat to inexperienced children sailing in and around the bay,” he said. “There could have been serious harm caused if one of them were caught in the break of the wave in such as small sailing boat.” Port of Melbourne Corporation spokeswoman Leonora Curnick said the speed limit in the South Channel was 18 knots for vessels with draughts less than 11.6 metres. Spirit of Tasmania spokeswoman Madeleine Smith said the ship “complies with all speed limits in the bay”.
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Southern Peninsula News 1 March 2016
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