Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has been congratulated for leading the “mammoth clean-up task” of making the Brisbane River safe again following the havoc caused by heavy rains six weeks earlier.
Acting Premier, Cameron Dick said that as soon as it could safely get its vessels out on the river, the MSQ led a remarkable clean-up in partnership with the Australian Defence Forces, other Government Agencies and private-sector contractors.
“MSQ recovered more than 6,700 tonnes of debris, salvaged 60 vessels and 40 pontoons, re-established 60 navigation aids and recovered a sunken CityCat,” Mr Dick said.
“It’s hard to imagine the scale of the job required to remove the flood debris and get things back to normal after this overwhelming and devastating event.”
He said vessels of all shapes and sizes, pontoons, trees, wheelie bins, all ended up in the lower reaches of rivers, in bays and on beaches.
“With the exception of the complex and difficult job to remove the drift structure from the Coronation Drive bike path, its mission complete,” Mr Dick said.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey said the flood response effort also included the clean-up of foreshores in Brisbane, Moreton Bay islands, Sunshine Coast and the Fraser Coast.
“MSQ did an extensive program of hydrographic surveying (sonar mapping of river and sea beds) and clearance diving to identify and remove hazards lurking underwater,” Mr Bailey said.
“After closing the Brisbane River on 28 February, it has taken nearly six weeks of tough recovery work to restore our waterways and shores to something approaching normality.”
