Commercial houseboat trial on Swan River given green light

17/2/99

A commercial houseboat trial on the Swan River has been given a green light, provided operations do not degrade the river or affect other uses.

Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames has approved the Swan River Trust's Commercial Houseboat Trial Policy, which is based on a five-year trial period.

"The Swan River Trust has studied areas suitable for commercial houseboats and has undertaken extensive consultation with Government agencies, local councils and interest groups," Dr Hames said.

"Issues raised by these groups have been addressed in the commercial houseboat trial policy.

"The trust will now call for applications to be submitted from potential houseboat operators.

"The trial will be limited to one operator with five vessels confined to the river upstream of the Causeway, and in the Swan River only.

"This policy is designed to ensure houseboats do not degrade the Swan and Canning rivers and do not impact on existing recreational activities and residential areas adjacent to the river."

Conditions to be placed on the houseboat operator include:

·      houseboats must be moored at designated areas;

·      refuelling facilities must have pollution prevention measures in place to prevent fuel spillage into the river;

·      no direct or indirect discharge of sullage to the river;

·      all commercial houseboats must be fitted with sullage tanks emptied only at pump-out facilities;

·      each houseboat is to be fitted with lockable rubbish bins to be disposed of by the houseboat operator; and -

·      no houseboats are to be moored next to private residential land.

The houseboat operator will be required to submit annual compliance reports to the Swan River Trust, and all requirements must be met for the trial to continue.

"Exclusion zones will be considered for commercial houseboats in areas that are considered to be of a sensitive nature, or for wildlife protection purposes," Dr Hames said.

"The Swan River is both a major recreational attraction and an important natural environment, and these two aspects must be carefully balanced.

"The trial will allow for an in-depth analysis of the effects of this sort of additional activity on the river."

After the trial, the Swan River Trust will review the policy before the possibility of permanent commercial houseboat operations on the Swan River is considered.

Media contacts: Caroline Lacy on 9424 7455

Paula Wallace, Swan River Trust 9278 0741