Agencies join forces for jetski crackdown

“Waterways are for everyone to enjoy, not a playground for hoons on high-powered vessels. Those who act dangerously or fout the rules face hefty fnes, loss of licence and in some cases even having your vessel impounded.” Enforcement patrols saturated jetski hotspots over Saturday and Sunday with NSW Maritime and Marine Area Command offcers on boats and jetskis on the Georges River, Botany Bay, Port Hacking, Pittwater, Brisbane Waters, the

Hawkesbury and Lake Illawarra.

The operation also saw Highway Patrol, Public Order Riot Squad, and Strike Force Raptor offcers positioned at strategic land locations to target any illegal or anti-social behaviour linked to vessel owners and operators.

Commander of Marine Area Command, Superintendent Joe McNulty, said that operations like this are necessary to ensure safety on our waterways by targeting dangerous and anti-social behaviour.

“We are warning those with personal watercrafts that not only are they putting themselves at risk but other water users” Mr McNulty said.

“We have some of the most picturesque waterways in the country, which also means they see a signifcant increase in recreational activity during warmer months, this unfortunately means potentially more boating, and water related incidents resulting in injuries or fatalities.”

The operation followed a spate of jetski and personal watercraft incidents since the start of 2023, including eight that saw people taken to hospital for treatment, and an alleged assault on a NSW Maritime offcer which is currently before the courts.

Mr Hutchings said in the last year, NSW Maritime Boating Safety Offcers responded to more than 270 jetski complaints ranging from noise complaints to speeding, irregular riding, riding close to swimmers, damage to shoreline and even harassment of wildlife including whales and dolphins.

“It’s reckless and disrespectful and inevitably it’s going to result in more people being seriously hurt or worse,” Mr Hutchings said.

In the last 12 months, NSW Maritime have conducted nearly 10,000 jetski vessel checks statewide, and handed out more than 1500 penalty notices and offcial cautions.

Greater Sydney is home to the top three worst locations for jetski offences including George’s River with 343 counts, Botany Bay with 159 counts and Port Hacking with 149 counts.

The top three offences across the state were speeding (30 per cent), licencing or registration (26 per cent) and irregular riding (10 per cent).

To report dangerous or anti-social behaviour, call the NSW Maritime general enquiries line on 13 12 36.

Building a Collection, Sharing a Collection

important addition to the Gallery’s collection and a signifcant storyteller of a particular time in Olley’s extraordinary life and enduring career.

Alongside the gift’s unveiling, the event includes a preview of artworks on loan from the National Gallery of Australia as part of the Sharing the National Collection initiative. This landmark initiative from Revive, Australia’s National Cultural Policy, allows the National Gallery to share its collection through longterm loans with regional and suburban galleries across the country.

Joining Monet’s Meules, milieu du jour [Haystack’s, midday], 1890 currently on display at the Tweed Regional Gallery, will be three works by one of Australia’s most celebrated artists, Margaret Olley, and a painting by the iconic artist Giorgio Morandi, one of Olley’s favourite painters of still life.

Ticket-holders will hear from esteemed guests: Trustee of the Margaret Olley Art Trust Philip Bacon OAM, Head,

- National Gallery of Australia Tracy Cooper-Lavery, Director Gallery & Visual Arts at HOTA Susi Muddiman OAM and Uncle Victor Slockee.

Gallery Director Ingrid Hedgcock invited supporters to join her and special guests for this signifcant occassion.

“The event is a celebration of passionate individuals who play a crucial role in building and shaping our public art collection,” Ms Hedgcock said. Guests will be able to enjoy drinks generously provided by Tweed Regional Gallery Foundation supporters Husk Distillers, and a selection of canapés by Apex Dining, while mingling with other art enthusiasts and experiencing the Gallery’s latest exhibition A Delicate Terrain.

The exhibition is curated from the Tweed Regional Gallery collection and showcases the work of renowned contemporary Australian artists. A Delicate Terrain will be on display from

Saturday 2 March until

Sunday 26 January 2025.

Event Details

Building a Collection, Sharing a Collection will be held from 5.30 - 7 pm on Thursday 29 February 2024 at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre. Tickets cost $35 - $55. Book now via Humanitix: https:// events.humanitix.com/ building-a-collectionsharing-a-collection Meules, milieu du jour [Haystack’s, midday], 1890 by Claude Monet will be on display until 26 October 2025.

Pomegranate I 1976, Katie’s quinces 1976, [Morning interior] c.1973 by Margaret Olley and Natura morta [Still life] 1956 by Giorgio Morandi are on long-term loan from late February until 2029. These 5 works of art are on long-term loan from the National Gallery of Australia with support from the Australian Government as part of Sharing the National Collection initiative.