NORTHERN END OF THE PUMICESTONE PASSAGE SPEED LIMIT CHANGES

In March 2022 the speed limit on waters off Golden Beach to Bulcock Beach was reduced to 20 knots (37km/h) from 40 knots (74km/h)A six knot limit also applies to the lower reaches of Bells Creek.

While a six-knot (11km/h) zone had applied within 100m of the shore between Military Jetty and Bulcock Beach, the remainder could be traversed at speeds up to 40 knots.

TAPP (Take Action for Pumicestone Passage) Inc. presented the following submission  to reduce the speed of motorised vehicles on the Passage because of our concern to protect, restore and enhance the Pumicestone Passage as a significant part of the Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetlands. TAPP invited eleven local community groups to respond to this Submission and all eleven groups support the Submission. Consequently the speed limits were reduced.

The Proposed Changes to the Speed Limit – which were not all met!

  1. That the 6 knots zone be extended 100 metres from the foreshore of the mainland from the existing zone to Lamerough Creek as far as Bells Creek. That the 6 knot zone be extended to include a 100 metres from the foreshore at the northern end of Bribie Island as far as the foreshore of Bribie Island opposite Bells Creek.
  2. That the 6 knot zone be extended to include Bells Creek.
  3. That the maximum speed limit for the remainder of waters in the Pumicestone Passage from the northern end of the Pumicestone Passage to Bells Creek (including the beacon marked main channel) be set at 20 knots for all motorised craft.
  4. That a designated water-skiing area and an area for motorised craft travelling in excess of 20 knots commence south of Bells Creek.
  5. That the area south of Bells Creek be a dedicated 40 knot zone for motorised PWCs.

 

Reasons for the Proposed Change

Pumicestone Passage is part of the Moreton Bay Marine Park which was declared Ramsar Site number 41 in Australia on 22 October 1993.  Pumicestone Passage is one of the few barrier estuaries in Australia.  It is a unique wetland consisting of intertidal mudflats, salt marshes, tree and sedge swamps, sandflats, seagrass meadows and mangrove forests.  This diversity allows it to be home to many species of plants and animals including 60 species of fish, 350 species of invertebrates, dugongs, turtles and 43 species of migratory waders and shorebirds.   The Passage and most of the catchment are listed on the Directory of Nationally Significant Wetlands.  Given Pumicestone Passage is a Ramsar Site the following concerns assume an even greater importance.

  1. Increased Usage – an estimated 40% increase in motorised PWCs using the northern end of the Passage (especially from Military Jetty to Bells Creek) over recent years due to population growth in the area.
  2. Maritime Safety – increase safety risk to swimmers, kayakers, paddle boarders, kite surfers and anchored boats from motorised PWCs travelling at high speeds.
  3. Impact on Migratory and Shore Birds – the noise and speed of motorised PWCs disturb the bird population thereby causing them to expend energy resulting in weight loss. This reduces migratory birds capacity to manage the flight North. It is disturbing local bird roosts as evidenced by declining numbers of waders.
  4. Noise Pollution – resident living near the mainland foreshore down to Bells Creek are increasingly impact by noise pollution from motorised PWCs.
  5. Increased Erosion – with increased vessel usage and motorised PWCs travelling at high speed there is a growing erosion problem in the Passage and in the creeks that feed into the Passage.
  6. First Nation Cultural Heritage – significant middens and scar trees have been identified along the Passage and in the riparian area along Bells Creek and these need to be preserved.

The Submission was sent to Minister Bailey, the Minister for Transport and Main Roads and the Department of Environment and Science.