Transport for NSW’s Maritime division is to reposition each of the 389 navigation markers that were washed out of place during last month’s floods, to restore safe conditions on the State’s waterways.
Minister Responsible for Disaster Recovery, John Barilaro said the Agency had completed a full assessment of damage to the State’s waterways and would work to get markers back in place as quickly as possible.
“Almost 400 navigation aids, such as buoys and channel markers were washed away by flood waters, with the Mid North Coast being the worst affected,” Mr Barilaro said.
“In one case a buoy ended up 206 kilometres from its starting point in the Manning River,” he said.
“Hastings River alone had 69 navigation markers moved out of location after the heavy rain and flooding.”
Mr Barilaro said the recent floods had had the biggest impact on navigation markers in the State’s history.
Minister for Regional Transport and Acting Minister for Transport, Paul Toole likened the 4,107 navigation aids across NSW waterways to the system of signs and traffic lights on the State’s road network.
“Along with maps and charts, navigation markers play a key part in helping skippers make informed decisions about keeping safe and avoiding known hazards on our waterways,” Mr Toole said.
“Teams are working hard to replace these with reserve stock but in some cases new ones need to be ordered and installed,” he said.
Mr Toole reminded skippers to use alternate forms of navigation to keep safe on the water until the system was back up and running at full capacity.
