A large dredge should be brought from Brisbane on Monday to help clear a treacherous sandbar that has been endangering lives and vessels at the entrance to the port of Mooloolaba.
The dangerous sand shoal has created a surf break at the Mooloolah river mouth and mariners warned the Queensland government that someone would be badly injured or die unless urgent action was taken.
Frightening video of waves crashing over the back of the prawn trawler Canipa after it smashed onto the sandbank recently, highlighted the dangers.
Urgent action needed
Member for Maroochydore, Fiona Simpson, tabled a petition from more than 1,200 concerned citizens in state parliament last night.
"In the past two weeks I have received more than 90 complaints, many hair-raising, from people with direct experience of damage to their vessels or risk to their lives," Ms Simpson said.
Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Kell Dillon said a smaller dredge has been on stand-by in the Mooloolah river since February, but "extraordinary" weather conditions had made it too unsafe to use until now.
"We're acutely aware of the shoaling at the entrance of the Mooloolah River," Mr Dillon said.
Mr Dillon said that depending on weather and sea conditions, the larger Port Frederick should be brought up from Cabbage Tree Creek in Moreton Bay, on Monday.
It could be used in conjunction with the smaller dredge to clear the bar, but all work hinged on the weather, sea conditions and safety.
"A bigger dredge requires deeper water in the first place, it's more susceptible to damage because of the swell lifting the barge up and down and dropping it onto the sand and also the tidal windows in which you can work are narrower," Mr Dillon said.
Mooloolaba is a designated state boat harbour, a critical location that should be able to provide all-tide sheltered boat launching and landing sites.
Ms Simpson said blaming recent rough weather wasn't good enough.
The dangerous sandbar has restricted maritime traffic. Fishing companies have lost time and money, with some vessels forced to unload at alternative ports.
Coast Guard Mooloolaba and pilot boats that guide container ships into the Port of Brisbane have had to restrict activity for an hour either side of low tide.
It also caused the cancellation of this year's Australasian Etchells Championship and the Brisbane to Mooloolaba yacht race.
Transport and main roads Minister Mark Bailey said hydrographic surveys have been undertaken to determine the deepest and safest navigation channels in the river entrance.
Two virtual markers have been established for Automatic Identification System (AIS) displays and electronic chart-plotters.
"They will also appear on the Geographic Information System map accompanying the Notice to Mariners so positions can be plotted manually for mariners who don't have an AIS," Minister Bailey said.
Future options
Ms Simpson said it was crucial for the community to be consulted about long-term options.
"The preferred solution involves a 60-metre extension of the eastern breakwater, allowing shoals to be trapped and dredged before they enter the entrance channel," Minister Bailey said.
Until the dredging work was complete, Mr Dillon urged mariners to "exercise extreme caution" at the river mouth, particularly at low tide.
