OIL FREE WATERWAYS : PREVENTION IS BEST
GOLD COAST WATERWAYS AUTHORITY CONTINUES UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP FIRST-STRIKE RESPONSE TO OIL POLLUTION
Gold Coast Waterways Authority ( GCWA ) welcomed 2022 under the leadership of a new Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ) and Chair of the Board . Chris Derksema commenced as the new CEO in January , and Greg Vann has been appointed the Chair of the GCWA Board . GCWA has many significant projects scheduled for 2022 , and Chris and Greg will lead GCWA in responsible and sustainable delivery of these projects , with consideration of marine environment protection .
One of the main pollution risks in the marine environment is vessel-sourced oil pollution . GCWA works closely with Maritime Safety Queensland ( MSQ ) to minimise , prevent and contain pollution on the pristine Gold Coast waterways . However , with the growing vessel ownership on the Gold Coast , increasing visitor numbers , and in particularly large boats and their associated refuelling operations , the risk of oil pollution needs to be high on the radar .
Our waterways city is home to sensitive environments and marine life , hat rely on clean , healthy waterways to survive and thrive . That is why it is so important that we all do our part , and marinas and boaties have a big role to play in keeping our waterways healthy .
As a key agency with responsibility for the Gold Coast ’ s coastal inland waterways , GCWA maintains a well-equipped and highly trained first-strike response team that can respond swiftly when vessel-sourced oil pollution incidents occur on Gold Coast waters . While GCWA ’ s expertise and primary role is oil pollution response , it is MSQ that has strong powers to investigate all forms of vessel-sourced pollution discharge .
MSQ ’ s website has some excellent information about marine pollution , including simple steps boaties can undertake to prevent vessel-sourced oil pollution . By following these simple steps , you can help prevent oil spills from vessels and keep Gold Coast waterways and their unique marine environment clean and safe .
Doing your part to reduce the likelihood of oil spills and vessels pollution is key to the Gold Coastwaterways continuing to shine .
Check out our top tips for preventing spills below : Boaties :
• regularly inspect your boat - hull , fittings and any fuel leaks
• make sure you have enough fuel or know where you can refuel
• don ’ t overfill tanks
• check the oil level
• report immediately any oil spills whether from your own or any other vessel
• recycle used oil and filters
• use absorbent to clean waste oils from bilges .
GCWA should be the first point of contact for vesselsourced oil pollution – 07 5539 7350 – while reports of other vessels-sourced pollution such as sewage and garbage should be directed to Maritime Safety Queensland on 07 5585 1810 or by email at msq . goldcoast . reception @ msq . qld . gov . au
Examples of vessel-sourced oil pollution attended by GCWA first-strike response team :
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