Maritime Policy Agenda

Transcription

1 Maritime Policy Agenda Progress Report August 2013 A

2 CONTENTS PREFACE 1 BOATING SAFETY 2 1 Lifejacket Awareness Campaign 2 2 Lifejacket Wear Initiative 3 3 Paddle Craft Safety Campaign 4 4 On-water Compliance Reform 4 5 Boating Safety Plans 5 6 Safe Boating Education and Communication Strategy National Maritime Safety Law 6 BOAT STORAGE AND SAFE WATERWAYS ACCESS STRATEGY 7 8 Boating Infrastructure Partnership Program 7 9 Boat Storage Strategy 8 10 Sydney Harbour Boating Destination Plan 9 REDUCING RED TAPE Boating Customer Reforms Planning Review Moorings Review Wharf Access Policy Maritime Property Policies and Procedures Review Streamline NSW Maritime Legislative Framework 12 WATERWAYS FUND Savings-funded boating safety and infrastructure initiatives 13 B

3 PREFACE The Maritime Policy Agenda was launched at the Sydney International Boat Show on 3 August The agenda was informed by advice from the Maritime Advisory Council and by issues raised at the Maritime Stakeholder Forum held on 24 April The Transport for NSW Maritime Program is led by the Office of Boating Safety and Maritime Affairs (OBSMA) and delivered by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS). The Minister for Roads and Ports, the Hon Duncan Gay, has set the directions for the program. The agenda includes three key areas of reforms: 1 Boating Safety 2 Boat Storage and Safe Waterways Access and 3 Reducing Red Tape Transport for NSW is promoting awareness of modern, functional lifejackets that can be worn in comfort for the entire duration of a typical day out in a boat. 1

4 BOATING SAFETY Each year an estimated 1.8 million people go boating in NSW. Whilst boating is a relatively safe activity, the reality is that lives continue to be lost on the water. OBSMA and RMS are committed to reducing the rate of fatalities through the promotion of safe, responsible and enjoyable boating. 1 Lifejacket Awareness Campaign Develop a major public awareness campaign to support the wearing of lifejackets and reduce loss of life caused by drowning when boating. Lifejacket Awareness Campaign y OBSMA has worked with Transport for NSW Customer Experience Division to lead in the development and delivery of an advertising campaign titled: A Lifejacket never ruined a day on the water. y This was the most comprehensive boating safety awareness campaign ever undertaken in NSW and ran from December 2012 to Easter y The Boating Industry Association (BIA) were engaged to support the campaign website by providing a link to suppliers of modern, functional and comfortable lifejackets. Marine13 y OBSMA led the State Government involvement in, and support for, the first major conference in Australia that combined the sectors of marinas, boating business and boating safety. y 460 people attended representing 15 countries. y 96 speakers made presentations across three streams: Boating Business; Marinas; and Safety. y Safety sessions were held on themes such as: Lifejackets, Paddle Safety, Weather and Communications. y 56 exhibitors filled the exhibition space including a major exhibit by OBSMA to promote wearing of lifejackets. International Lifejacket Forum y OBSMA hosted an International Lifejacket Forum at the Australian National Maritime Museum on 1 May. y More than 70 people attended. y It culminated in the signing of the International Lifejacket Wear Principles by representatives of boating organisations: Australian Recreational Boating Safety Committee; Canadian Safe Boating Council; Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer (France); Royal National Lifeboat Institution (UK); and Maritime NZ. y The Principles call for the wearing of lifejackets in small boats underway; they also call for industry to When you re out on the water an accident can happen suddenly, turning a good day into a mayday. With a wide range of lifejackets available, from comfortable foam to modern inflatable styles, there s one to suit every need. So be safe and wear yours. Go to for more information. promote the wearing of lifejackets through actions such as product advertising. y The US Coast Guard Boating Division was unable to attend in person but indicated strong support for the Principles via video to the Forum. y Stakeholders were surveyed and gave overwhelming support for the OBSMA approach in the public awareness campaign: A lifejacket never ruined a day on the water. Partnerships y OBSMA has led the Australia and New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG) in a trans Tasman promotion to increase lifejacket wear with an education package that includes a 10-minute instructional video on dvd and supporting online content. y OBSMA has worked in partnership with the BIA and RMS to deliver the lifejacket wear campaign at events such as the 2013 Sanctuary Cove, Melbourne and Sydney Boat Shows. y OBSMA and RMS have continued to support partners such as the Marine Teachers Association, Yachting NSW, Paddle NSW and Marine Rescue NSW with lifejacket initiatives. y The campaign A lifejacket never ruined a day on the water has been evaluated and lessons learnt are being used by Transport for NSW to build a significantly expanded campaign for 2013/14. y OBSMA and RMS are to work with the NSW Police Marine Area Command in joint compliance and education campaigns specific to lifejackets for the next boating season. y Develop plans to improve signage at boat ramps statewide to reinforce lifejacket wear messages at the point of entry for many runabouts. 2

5 2 Lifejacket Wear Initiative Work with safety partners, including industry, to develop a State Government supported program that provides an incentive to improve lifejacket wear rates. y OBSMA called for Registrations of Interest (ROI) in August 2012 in a Government supported, industry led initiative to improve servicing of inflatable lifejackets and promote the wearing of lifejackets. y The ROI attracted 19 responses and OBSMA engaged an independent consultant to further investigate possible solutions. y Stakeholders at the International Lifejacket Forum held in May 2013 were invited to comment on the project and were overwhelmingly supportive of the direction being taken by OBSMA. y OBSMA is finalising a major industry led approach which will result in seeking Requests for Proposals. y The initiative will involve retail outlets and site visits to popular boat ramps across all regions to promote the wear and appropriate service of inflatable lifejackets. y All actions listed under Boating Safety Action item #1 Lifejacket Awareness Campaign. y Link Boating Safety Officer (BSO) patrol activity to a program of ramp site visits across NSW. y Develop a program to install new signage at boat ramps across NSW. y Capture and analyse statistics on lifejacket wear rates from vessel incident reports. y Ensure lifejacket wear is a key theme embedded in the 2013/14 boating season compliance and education campaign. 3

6 BOATING SAFETY 3 Paddle Craft Safety Campaign Deliver a statewide education campaign to promote safe and responsible use of paddle / oared craft. y OBSMA has developed, with support from RMS, a paddle safe education package that includes DVD, online content and supporting print material with support and expert advice from Paddle NSW. y The online content is hosted at y OBSMA worked with the BIA and other stakeholders to deliver the entire package for a launch at the Sydney International Boat Show in August y OBSMA has worked with ANZSBEG to realise the distribution of the Paddle Safe education package in jurisdictions across Australia and New Zealand. y OBSMA and RMS have produced a dedicated paddle safety flyer for Sydney Harbour with special attention to keeping paddlers clear of larger vessels and advice on safe crossing of channels. y OBSMA has partnered with Paddle NSW to support a new website for paddlers that will contain a host of information to promote safe, responsible and enjoyable paddling. y OBSMA has developed, with support from Paddle NSW and the BIA, an online competition with prize incentives to help capture details of people interested in paddling and help establish a contact database. y OBSMA and RMS will develop a program to build partnerships with non-marine industry retail outlets, especially those that sell paddle craft, to extend the education campaign. 4 On-water Compliance Reform Review existing policies and procedures relating to on-water compliance to ensure appropriate efficiency and effectiveness. y In April 2013, the Government established the Marine Compliance Taskforce. It was formed to progress a series of reforms designed to help agencies with an on-water function work together and ensure more effective use of assets and resources. y The Taskforce is led by an Independent Chair and comprises senior representatives from major agencies with an on-water compliance function (NSW Police Force; Roads and Maritime Services; the Department of Primary Industries; the Office of Environment and Heritage). y OBSMA is providing the Taskforce with organisational support. y A two-year strategic plan is being developed to identify the key tasks required to deliver better use of assets and resources including staff skills, equipment and vessels. y A consultation program has been developed to actively engage staff and unions throughout the reform process. y A Taskforce website has been established as a central repository for information on Taskforce activities ( y Finalise the two-year strategic plan following consultation with stakeholders. y Undertake an on-water agency co-location trial at Botany Bay. 4

7 5 Boating Safety Plans a) Sydney Harbour b) Georges River Develop and deliver boating safety plans for Sydney Harbour and the Georges River to underpin waterway management and stakeholder safety. Georges River y The Georges River and Botany Bay Boating Safety Plan was released to the public in January y Water safety initiatives in the plan are being implemented and monitored. Sydney Harbour y The draft Sydney Harbour Boating Safety Plan was released for public comment with submissions closing at the end of May y OBSMA and RMS are considering the 22 submissions received. y OBSMA and RMS continue to promote local safe boating initiatives for Sydney that include the following: a campaign to encourage small craft to keep clear of ships; a campaign to promote safe paddling on Sydney Harbour. y The Sydney Harbour Boating Safety Plan will be released to the public by October Safe Boating Education and Communication Strategy Develop and deliver a 3-year strategy to promote safe and responsible boating with an emphasis to include personal responsibility and to promote lifejacket use. y The strategy was finalised in 2012 and is on the Transport for NSW website. y OBSMA and RMS are working collaboratively to deliver actions linked to the Strategy. y OBSMA has worked with RMS to establish the Boating Safety Education and Compliance Committee to assist in delivery of the strategy. y OBSMA has worked with RMS to hold an annual Boating Safety Compliance and Education Program workshop to plan activities for the next 12 months. y OBSMA has worked with RMS to deliver increased education online especially to support campaigns such as: lifejacket wear; safe paddling; safety offshore; and safe and responsible use of personal watercraft. y OBSMA and RMS have collaborated in delivery of community engagement activities to promote safe and responsible use of personal watercraft, particularly through the award winning Take it Easy campaign. y RMS and Marine Area Command are to work together on joint operational campaigns for the next boating season. y OBSMA is delivering the NSW component of a boating safety smartphone app to promote safe and responsible boating for the 2013/14 boating season. 5

8 BOATING SAFETY 7 National Maritime Safety Law Implement National Maritime Safety Law for commercial vessels. y On 1 July 2013 the new national system for commercial vessel safety commenced. There is now one national law (the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012) and one national regulator, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), for all domestic commercial vessels. y The new national system will simplify requirements for industry, provide opportunities for growth and reduce red tape. y NSW has been working closely with AMSA to ensure a smooth transition to the new national system. y RMS will continue to deliver regulatory services to owners and operators of commercial vessels in NSW, on behalf of AMSA so that industry will continue to deal with the same people that they have in the past. y OBSMA and RMS will continue to monitor the implementation of the new national arrangements to ensure that NSW industry reaps the benefits of the national system. 6

9 BOAT STORAGE AND SAFE WATERWAYS ACCESS STRATEGY 8 Boating Infrastructure Partnership Program Develop partnership program to replace the Better Boating Program (which expires in 2014). y Since 1998, the Better Boating Program (BBP) managed by RMS has delivered more than $35 million in funding to support more than 600 projects across the state including boat ramps, public wharves and pontoons, dinghy storage and sewage pump-out facilities. The current program of $5 million per annum is due to expire in y To help inform the priority projects to be funded from the new BIPP, OBSMA will be working with Councils to undertake an audit of the infrastructure, safety and access requirements of the major waterways in order to meet the expected future growth in vessel numbers. y Work has commenced on the design of the new Boating Infrastructure Partnership Program. Efficiency savings achieved through the establishment of RMS will see increased funding available from 2014/15. y In advance of the new program a number of priority projects will be funded by reallocating savings from the waterways fund. See Page 13. 7

10 BOAT STORAGE AND SAFE WATERWAYS ACCESS STRATEGY 9 Boat Storage Strategy Develop a waterway-by-waterway plan to match boat storage capacity with forecast demand, commencing with Sydney Harbour. Encourage development of dry-stack storage facilities on Sydney Harbour. Conduct a trial of moving boat trailer parking to alternate off road sites. Sydney Harbour Boat Storage Strategy y OBSMA prepared a draft Sydney Harbour Boat Storage Strategy which was released for public comment in April The draft Strategy proposed indicative boat storage growth targets designed to allow Government and industry to plan for the best mix of boating facilities to accommodate the expected growth in recreational vessels. y The draft Strategy was endorsed by the Maritime Advisory Council and industry in general. However, numerous submissions highlighted that the growth targets can only be achieved through reforms to the NSW planning system. Boat Trailer Working Group Report y A Boat Trailer Working Group was established to identify options for better management of boat trailer parking. The Working Group was chaired by OBSMA with representatives from Woollahra and Canada Bay Councils as well as the Division of Local Government in the Department of Premier and Cabinet. y The Working Group s report was released for public comment in May It identified a number of options including delegating powers to Councils to be able to deal directly with unregistered trailers and possible changes to the Impounding Act to enable Councils to act against trailers that are left unmoved on streets for months on end. y Over 100 submissions were received including 10 from Local Councils. y Industry comments on the draft Sydney Harbour Boat Storage Strategy were submitted to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure as part of the White Paper A new planning system for NSW process. y Submissions to the Boat Trailer Working Group report highlighted strong support for the establishment of dedicated off-street boat trailer parking facilities. y Finalise the Sydney Harbour Boat Storage Strategy and continue to work with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure to reduce red tape for maritime developments. y OBSMA will work with the Division of Local Government in the Department of Premier and Cabinet to develop a Government response to the options identified by the Boat Trailer Working Group and also work with Councils to establish new off street trailer parking facilities. 8

11 10 Sydney Harbour Boating Destination Plan Increase and promote destinations for recreational boaters on Sydney Harbour. Review the Commercial Marina Rent Procedure to create incentives for commercial marinas to support the Destinations Plan. y OBSMA has worked closely with industry to reach agreement on an approach to providing commercial marina operators on Sydney Harbour with a rental discount in exchange for making facilities and services open to the general boating public. y A marketing campaign is being developed to promote the range of facilities to be made available by marina operators as part of a Sydney Harbour Destinations Plan. The Plan will also include details of other public access infrastructure and facilities available on the Harbour. y RMS Commercial Marina Rental Procedure has been reviewed to improve sustainability and provide greater certainty to commercial marina operators on Sydney Harbour. The revised rental framework will be made available to all marina operators willing to participate in the Sydney Harbour Destination Plan. y It is expected that the Sydney Harbour Boating Destination Plan will be launched during October

12 REDUCING RED TAPE 11 Boating Customer Reforms Investigate harmonisation of roads and maritime licensing and registration procedures. y The establishment of combined RMS shop-fronts means that customers can now renew their boat licence at the same place as their driver s licence. y Internal policy and procedures have been aligned to provide consistency on matters such as Proof of Identify requirements for all RMS customers. y Transport for NSW and RMS are working through issues that need to be resolved to allow for a single integrated transport licence. Key issues include the fact that car and boat licences are currently issued under different legislation and using different computer systems. y Work is also underway to identify the legislative changes needed to bring vessel registration processes in line with vehicle registrations. This will allow for the removal of vessel registration labels, meaning that boat owners will receive the benefit recently introduced for car owners by removing the hassle to replace labels every year. 12 Planning Review Work with the Department of Planning & Infrastructure to review Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005 (SREP). Apply principles from SREP review across other waterways. y The Department of Planning and Infrastructure has commenced a number of reforms to the planning system which provide an opportunity to substantially reduce the red tape faced by maritime stakeholders involved in development at the land/water interface. y OBSMA made a joint submission to DP&I s White Paper - A new planning system for NSW and Draft Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney to 2031 outlining industry s concerns about how the current planning system constrains the development of boating and maritime infrastructure on Sydney Harbour and highlighting the importance of recognising the needs of the boating sector at the strategic planning level. Planning Reforms y DP&I have also flagged changes to clause 18A of the Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005 and the State Environment Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) that will remove unnecessary red tape for a large number of maritime stakeholders. y OBSMA will continue to work closely with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure during the finalisation and rollout of these key reforms. 10

13 13 Moorings Review Review existing policy and regulatory frameworks to improve consistency, minimise administrative burden and assess options for increasing mooring capacity. y OBSMA has been undertaking scoping and preparatory work to inform the design of the Moorings Review, with work to formally commence on the Review in the coming weeks. y It is expected that an Issues Paper will be released for public comment before the end of 2013 to seek feedback on the key issues of concern to stakeholders. y The Moorings Review will also be informed by the findings of Sydney Harbour Boat Storage Strategy and future similar strategies to be developed for each of the State s major waterways. 14 Wharf Access Policy Establish a consistent policy framework for managing access to Sydney Harbour commuter ferry wharves. y OBSMA released a Wharf Access Policy: Draft Position Paper in March 2013 for public comment. y The Draft Position Paper proposed the introduction of consistent and transparent arrangements for commercial vessel operators seeking to access public ferry wharves on Sydney Harbour. The proposed approach recognises the different access needs of different types of ferry services and seeks to encourage greater utilisation of commuter ferry wharves while retaining priority for the core public transport services. y Submissions on the Draft Position Paper are currently being reviewed to inform the final policy position. y Once finalised, OBSMA will work with RMS on smooth transition arrangements, including consultation with stakeholders. 11

14 REDUCING RED TAPE 15 Maritime Property Policies and Procedures Review Review existing RMS policies and procedures to improve consistency and transparency and minimise administrative burden. y OBSMA has been working with property management experts to review all of RMS maritime property policies. y A set of policy principles to guide the policy review were endorsed by the Maritime Advisory Council and key stakeholders. y OBSMA has also been working closely with the Crown Lands Division of NSW Trade and Investment to identify opportunities to harmonise policies and procedures for the management of submerged lands across the State. y A draft version of the Policy Manual is expected to be finalised for stakeholder comment by September Streamline NSW Maritime Legislative Framework Review existing legislation to create single instrument for maritime and waterways administration. y After detailed investigation of the possibility a single statute for maritime and waterways administration, it is apparent that the Ports and Maritime Administration Act 1995 with its emphasis on the management of ports as state owned corporations and the Marine Safety Act 1998 with its focus on boating safety, vessel registration and boat licensing have different objectives and should be maintained as separate instruments. y Opportunities are being explored to repeal the Navigation Act 1901 and the Maritime Services Act Large sections of these Acts have already been repealed and many of the remaining provisions no longer have relevance. OBSMA has been consulting with RMS and other relevant NSW Government agencies to identify if there are any provisions with the two Acts or their respective subordinate instruments that need to be retained and transferred to either the Ports and Maritime Administration Act 1995 or the Marine Safety Act y Work will continue to identify opportunities for streamlining legislation. 12

15 WATERWAYS FUND Savings-funded boating safety and infrastructure initiatives The Minister for Roads and Ports, the Hon. Duncan Gay, has announced a commitment of $20 million for initiatives to be rolled out from 2013/14. These include: y Extra boating safety initiatives such as support for the industry-led program to improve the wearing of lifejackets and the service of inflatable lifejackets. This funding will also help put additional Boating Safety Officers on the water this summer and support a new safety signage system for boat ramps across NSW. y We will be boosting statewide boating infrastructure spending, starting with a comprehensive audit of access, safety and infrastructure on our major waterways. We will fund initiatives to provide off-street boat trailer storage, to support implementation of the Government s response to the recommendations of the Boat Trailer Working Group. y We will assist local councils with regional infrastructure upgrades which are beyond the scope of the Better Boating Program, by boosting our contribution beyond the current 50% for some key projects. y And we are exploring ways of boosting Sydney infrastructure for additional access to Botany Bay and initiatives in Rozelle and Blackwattle Bays that includes development of a recreational boat ramp and associated trailer parking facility. In total, these programs will be supported by reallocating savings from existing programs. This will assist the boating sector, our economy, the thousands of jobs involved, and the lifestyles of an estimated 1.8 million people who go boating each year in NSW. 13

16 Transport for NSW 2013 For further information contact: Office of Boating Safety and Maritime Affairs Transport for NSW 18 Lee Street Chippendale NSW 2008 PO Box K659 Haymarket NSW 1240 T (02) E Enquiries.obsma@transport.nsw.gov.au