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A reduced speed limit on Perth Water near Elizabeth Quay, realignment and renaming of the water sports area at South Perth and a permanent 5 knot area near the Matagarup Bridge have been introduced to improve on-water safety and enjoyment of the Swan Canning Riverpark.

Department of Transport (DoT) Director Waterways Management Chris Mather said the changes, now formally gazetted as law, would allow users to safely share some of the busiest parts of the iconic riverpark.

“An updated edition of the Department’s free Swan Canning Riverpark Boating Guide is now available to help skippers and other users learn more about the changes and adjust their behaviour,” Mr Mather said. 

The changes include:

• Introducing an 8 knot speed limit between the Narrows Bridge and Barrack Square to align with the limit on Perth Water and reduce wash through the courtesy mooring area 
   
• Realigning, increasing and renaming to the commercial water sports area within Perth Water to better meet growing demand for activities whilst a new 50 metre buffer along the foreshore at South Perth will provide safe passage for passive activities including paddle craft
   
• Permanent implementation of a 5 knot speed area between Point Fraser and Windan Bridge following the construction of the Matagarup Bridge to reduce wash and wake impacting the riverbank and rowers and water skiers, and improve navigational safety.

Mr Mather said the changes had been included in the Perth Water Buneenboro Locality Plan recently completed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

The plan included a review of on-water arrangements from the Narrows Bridge up to the Windan Bridge including the South Perth foreshore.

The Swan Canning Riverpark Boating Guide contains information about aquatic activity boundaries. Visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/boatingguides or request a copy by contacting DoT on 13 11 56.            

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au

Despite representing less than eight per cent of vessels on the water, personal watercraft (PWC) or Jetskis now account for one in every three boating infringements - prompting the Department of Transport (DoT) to implement an education campaign to combat bad behaviour on the water.

DoT Director of Waterways Safety Management Chris Mather said there had been a concerning increase in the percentage of infringements issued to PWC operators in recent years, climbing from 19 per cent to 36 per cent in the last five years while the craft ratio rose only one percent (6.6 to 7.6 per cent of total registered vessels).

He said a new targeted education campaign would reinforce responsible use of PWC in WA, highlighting the consequences of taking risks and not sharing the water safely.

“‘Data for the past two years shows the two most common infringements issued to PWC operators are failure to wear a lifejacket and speeding, accounting for nearly 60 per cent of infringements issued, while 12 per cent were for freestyle riding in a prohibited area,” Mr Mather said.

“Every person on board a PWC must wear a lifejacket at all times to the required standard for the area of operation and adhere to all applicable speed limits, even while operating within dedicated freestyle areas such as the PWC area near the Narrows Bridge on the Swan River.

“While the majority of users comply, there is an increasing number of PWC operators endangering the lives of other water users by flouting the rules and being complacent about safety which is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.”
 
The campaign will include work to highlight the safety requirements for PWC at the point of sale and at boat ramps, particularly dedicated PWC facilities. Riders will also be encouraged to visit the DoT website to check lifejacket and other safety equipment requirements for PWC. 

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au

Starting this week, invitations will be posted to more than 40,000 regional Western Australian households inviting them to take part in a survey about airfares and air travel within WA.

Households in 21 regional towns that have direct flights to and from Perth will receive a letter inviting residents to participate in a 10-15-minute online survey.

Read full media statement