The Boating Industry Association has criticised a New South Wales Government plan to ban powered vessels from selected areas of Port Stephens this summer. The association says the restrictions follow trial bans introduced last year and argues that exclusion zones risk penalising responsible boaters while moving problem behaviour elsewhere.
The 14 September statement is relevant to owners of small powerboats, fishing boats and personal watercraft because Port Stephens is a major recreational boating area. BIA says the government has not published enough supporting information on incidents, hospitalisations or alternatives to exclusion zones.
BIA argues for enforcement before blanket bans
BIA spokesperson Neil Patchett said education, compliance and enforcement have historically produced better safety outcomes than broad exclusion measures. The association’s concern is that a small number of unsafe users can trigger restrictions affecting a much larger group of responsible boaters.
Rather than relying on bans, BIA is asking Transport for NSW to use existing rules more actively and to introduce a structured behaviour-change programme focused initially on personal watercraft before expanding to other boating categories.
Five-point plan proposed for NSW waterways
The association’s proposed plan includes the use of compliance cameras at waterway hot spots, stronger mechanisms to suspend or cancel licences and seize vessels for serious offences, sustained safety campaigns and the possible extension of road-style anti-hoon and demerit systems to the water.
BIA also wants part of the additional revenue raised from higher personal-watercraft fees to fund rider education and behaviour-change campaigns. The aim is to target unsafe conduct without removing access from boaters who are complying with the rules.
What this could mean for leisure boaters
For local boaters, the immediate issue is access. Exclusion zones can change where small powerboats and PWCs may operate during the summer season, potentially concentrating activity in neighbouring areas and affecting launch, fishing and cruising plans.
The final impact will depend on the exact boundaries, duration and enforcement arrangements adopted by the NSW Government. Leisure Boat Guide will treat those operational details separately when Transport for NSW publishes the final rules and maps.