WHILE the latest recommendations for improving safety at Tathra Wharf have been announced, the controversial idea of installing a fence or barrier around its edge is not one of them.
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During its meeting on Wednesday, the Bega Valley Shire Council will be asked to approve costs for implementing the safety recommendations from risk assessments conducted on the Tathra and Merimbula wharfs.
InConsult was engaged in October to conduct the risk assessments and the 10 proposals outlined in the report are estimated to cost $35,000 - the majority of which would be for installing lights to illuminate the wharves’ edges and ladders.
While fencing or balustrading around all edges of both wharves was considered - as it would “reduce chances of someone accidentally falling over the edge” - the costs were estimated at $10,000 per wharf and other arguments against their installation included that they may detract from historical value or encourage people to dive in from a higher point.
However, fencing is recommended to be placed on the northern and possibly southern sides of Merimbula Wharf to reduce the chances of someone falling and hitting rocks or shallow water.
The report noted the tragic 2008 drowning of Shane O’Neill and his infant sons Riley and Travis at Tathra as the only incident the council had documented at either of the wharfs.
A previous risk assessment was conducted in 2009 by Australian CoastSafe, several recommendations of which were implemented a year later.
However, the CoastSafe report previously angered members in the community as while it said the installation of safety barriers at the Tathra Wharf may be something the council could consider, it stopped short of recommending them (BDN, 27/6).
Earlier this year Linda O’Neill, the mother of Shane, said the BVSC was not listening to community concerns after previous Mayor Bill Taylor was interviewed on ABC South East Radio saying a fence was not being considered for the wharf (BDN, 27/6).
As previously reported by the BDN, some members of Tathra believed a fence around their wharf would not make any difference in preventing accidents and could drive fishermen from it (BDN, 1/7).
InConsult’s other safety proposals include erecting warning signs, making a wharf closure procedure in adverse weather conditions, ensure proper signage is placed for rescue rings and, at Merimbula Wharf, preventing parking at the immediate entrance.
The council is also advised to report obvious issues such as missing rescue rings, formalise maintenance and structural inspections and make weekly Town Team inspections during holidays.
The report notes a number of the recommendations could be implemented over the Christmas holiday period.
However, additional lighting and approved signage would be completed in early 2015.
Funding for the recommendations could come from the council’s 2014 Statewide Insurance rebate, which council is applicable for due to its participation in risk management initiatives.
To read the full InConsult report, click here for the council's meeting agenda and refer to agenda item 12.1.
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