8:14 PM Fri 20 Nov 2009 GMT
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'Jetski on the Broadwater'
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Our story earlier this week that that knives are out for jet skis and personal water craft appears to have had a happy ending, at least for the moment.
The Gold Coast City Council, apparently bowing to the wishes of residents close to a busy boat ramp, said it would bring down a proposal to ban jet skis and PWCs from using the Harley Street, Labrador ramp.
However, the Queensland State Government has advised the council that it does not have the authority to impose such regulations and the council was warned that any such move could lead to court action.
Local Member of Parliament, Ms Peta-Kaye Croft, said the Transport Infrastructure Act of 1994 allied with the Public Marine Facilities regulation of 2000 stated that boat ramps must be available at all times for use by the public.
'People pay a registration fee, so any decision to exclude some users from a particular boat ramp would mean their rights had been taken away,' she said, sensibly.
According to Ms Croft, is the council was to pursue this course of action, it would have to implement a 'marine zone', which would require firstly community consultation and approval from the State Government.
Gold Coast City mayor, the former Olympic distance runner, Ron Clarke admitted the council could not take any further action. He said he would 'investigate' what legal avenues were open to council.
Sadly, the problems related to jet skis and PWCs emanate from inconsiderate users.
The vast majority of those enjoying jet skis and PWC's are family groups making the most of fun on the water.
'Bad apples' are the reason many people are critical of jet ski behaviour, there's no doubt the 'hoons' are out there, as they are on our roads when their antics completely ignore the rights of others.
What I find personally frustrating is the fact that this situation could be easily remedied; hit the hoons hard, confiscate their equipment, whether or not that equipment comprises a jet ski, a PWC, a tinnie or a larger boat.
If the complaints directed at this particular boat ramp have been caused by inconsiderate jet ski and PWC users misbehaving, revving engines and so forth, simply station a couple of police officers there and hit 'em hard!
It won't happen, and I'll tell you why.
Simply, the Gold Coast does not have enough police officers or the personnel in the water police to do it!
The Gold Coast unfortunately has a thin (very thin) blue line.
It has long been government policy, that when you can't catch the 'bad guys', penalise everyone.
There has recently been much discussion, particularly in the pages of the local newspaper, The Gold Coast Bulletin, that the community should adopt a 'zero tolerance' attitude to hoons, vandals and graffiti 'artists,' afloat or ashore.
I have visited New York City, primarily Manhattan, several times and have seen 'zero tolerance' in action; it means two to four uniformed police officers patrolling every city block, backed up by undercover operatives, often dressed as 'bums' or tourists.
Additionally, the New York waterfront is patrolled non-stop by the city's own water police units, employing modern, high-speed vessels, together with the US Coast Guard, a federally-funded, highly efficient body with the latest in high-tech vessels and equipment.
If another 1000 police officers were allocated to the Gold Coast, it still would not be able to introduce zero tolerance.
Get rid of the hoons is the way to resolve the problem; we just don't have the resources (or the will?) to do it.
by Bob Wonders
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Double Is Pt, QLD
