As part of the Government’s commitment to restore accountability and give boaters a real say, a new Ministerial level Maritime Advisory Council will be established under legislation by Minster for Roads and Ports, Duncan Gay.

Mr Gay said the Council would have the responsibility of being another source of expert and independent advice to the Minister on boating safety, as well as monitoring boating crash statistics and trends, and advising on expenditure priorities.

The Council will be independently chaired, and will have expertise based representation from the major recreational boating and commercial vessel sectors.

“Sitting under the new integrated transport agency, Transport for NSW, this new advisory council will set new standards for transparency and accountability,” he said.

“Those sought out to give advice to the Minister will be people who live and breathe the industry.”

“One of the first priorities for the Council will be to help develop a policy agenda for safety reforms, access to waterways, and boat storage.

“These three challenges have been squarely laid at our door and I’m looking to the Council, key boating groups, and everyone who enjoys boating of any kind to help solve these problems,” Mr Gay said.

Full details of the council are expected to be announced before the start of the new boating season in October, with members selected after a public expression of interest process.