PHP Warning: Use of undefined constant VBA_SCRIPT - assumed 'VBA_SCRIPT' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in ..../includes/functions_navigation.php(802) : eval()'d code on line 1 New artificial reef on horizon
gee bugman when this goes ahead we will have to get you to do a dive for us eh
Beattie accepts HMAS Brisbane for Sunshine Coast dive site
Joint Statement by Premier Peter Beattie, Environment Minister Dean Wells & Member for Kawana Chris Cummins
After successful protracted investigations seeking better priced insurance Premier Peter Beattie confirmed today that Queensland will now accept HMAS Brisbane for placement off the Sunshine Coast.
"My acceptance is based on an agreement with the State Government Insurance Fund.
"I could never have accepted HMAS Brisbane as a gift knowing we would have to have to pay a premium of at least $250,000 a year.
"I continued to seek other options and am now pleased to announce that a far better outcome has been achieved.
"We have been able to access insurance on the site for many many times less than the original offer," said Mr Beattie.
Environment Minister Dean Wells said to accept HMAS Brisbane was a way of continuing its heritage links to Queensland.
"It was a way of maintaining those links in a unique Sunshine Coast way," he said.
Mr Beattie said he especially wanted to thank the Member for Kawana Chris Cummins for his relentless pursuit of this project.
"Chris has fought long and hard for this and his persistence has been rewarded."
The Commonwealth will meet all costs of the ship's deployment to the site. It has committed $3 million for the towage, preparation and sinking.
Mr Cummins said he was thrilled with the outcome.
"It is the best news. It will be a boost for the region and offer us another great tourism opportunity.
"There are also possibilities for offshoots for artificial-reef research through the Sunshine Coast University," he said.
Can't wait to this gets off the ground - or under the water as the case may be.
They've recently sunk one in SA and it takes a while before anyone is allowed to dice these sites.
There was a lot of argy bargy about who was just allowed to go there. Local dive operaters had to apply for licenses to dive the site and others weren't allowed in. Not sure if that will be the same practise here.
It will be interesting to see how they regulate access. Maybe they'll restrict rec divers but I hop not. You'll probably need a permit to dive the site and you can only get that if you go with a dive operator who pays for a big yearly license.
As for fishos - they make a no anchoring rule - similar to Julian Rocks or something which won't allow fishos with x amount of metres. Can't see how they will police this though.
What's to stop rec fishos anchoring up at night ????
I'm currently investigating detail and I'll get back with more info
I had my advanced course set down for over christmas but had it cancelled because of the weather. We wanted to dive Wolf Rock so needed the depth.
My guess is they'll sink it in 30m or shallower otherwise you'll need advanced to dive. It'd rule out a hell of a lot of rec divers for the tour operators - and that's where the bucks will come from.
I guess being about 15-20 meters high from hull to antenna they might have to go deeper otherwise it could be a hazard.
Operators could take openwater divers just over the surface and not down in the hull and may not flaunt the decompression rules.
Just got this back in from a guy who was involved with the sinking of the HMAS Hobart off South Australia.
It was sunk with the same idea in mind as the Brisbane
"There was a tender process for the charter (dive) operators to get licenses to run charters on the ex HMAS Hobart. there were 6 succesful contenders, who each had the "honour" of getting to pay the government $6600 per annum (including GST) to run charters on the Hobart. Hence it being $50 / single, $95 / double dive (usually $30 and $55 here in adl) (from all operators except one!)
For the first month or so there were no recreational boats allowed on her, but now, finally they have worked out a system, such as it is... I haven't tried it out yet, but apparently you have to go into the city, fill out a form, show your c-card, and pay $10 per diver per dive...
Good luck with sorting the details out over there in brisvegas...
as for fisho's, there is an exclusion zone around the wreck, can't remember the distance, but its a fair way, 1nm or something... no-one is allowed in there without a permit, and its a strict no-take zone... whether fishing, snorkelling, or diving..."
SORRY guys but it looks like reef fishing on this baby will more than likely be eyes only .
Wonder what the whole structure will do to the current lines and surrounding reef - sand around her.
Brett,
Have to do one of those advanced courses one day I was qualified with SSI many years ago. Done a few at around 30m - need a good torch, not real interesting and bugger all bottom time.
It would be a shame to see it an exclusion zone for fisho's. Divers / fishers work at Curtin. And before someone makes comment - contrary to what fisho's believe, divers do not scare fish off. They would be amazed how many kingies and cobia I've had playing in bubble trails.
gday guys, i was working for a dive company in WA where the HMAS SWAN was sunk.there is a 500m exlusion zone around it so no fishin a shame cause there was fish gathering around it only after 2weeks it is also a greatn breeding ground for juviniles.also an advanced dive ticket is for the depth but for entering a wreck dive standards say you need an overhead environment ticket[eg, cave divers ticket] i know it cant be policed under water but some training would be advisable[SSI wreck diver is good] all in all it will be a great wreck for all divers paradise,breeding ground.e done by some of the policing of boats over the wreck may be done by the charter companys that pay big bucks for the privilege of being a nominated dive company
cheers scotty
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I was qualified with SSI many years ago. Done a few at around 30m - need a good torch, not real interesting and bugger all bottom time.
