Jet-Skis in South Australia: Stop the noise; prevent injuries

The rapidly increasing presence of jet-skis (sometimes called personal watercraft or PWCs) on Adelaide metropolitan beaches and on the Murray River is creating problems of noise and safety for others wanting to enjoy these prime recreational environments.

Jet-ski users are congregating around sites also popular for swimming, canoeing and other non-motorised leisure activities on, and in, the water. In addition, thousands of locals and visitors enjoy walking along the shore, playing beach games, walking their dogs or simply lying on the sand. The roar, whine and slap of jet-skis and the reek of exhaust fumes are part of the price the rest of us pay to enable the pleasure of a few.

The iconic Australian beach scene is diminished for those who arrive at the beach to find a fleet of jet-skis coming in and out to change operators. While some regulations exist to limit speed near shore and other water users, these are frequently ignored and the enforcement capacity on both beaches and River appears markedly overstretched.

Safety is also a major concern. There have been numerous deaths and severe injuries including deaths to swimmers recently in Victoria and Queensland. The evidence on jet-ski deaths and injuries notes they are disproportionately higher than for all other forms of boating and involve disproportionately higher rates of child and young adult (particularly male) casualties. As these craft become more popular so does the risk of major accidents. The afternoon sea breeze on Adelaide coastal beaches raises waves that make it difficult for a PWC user to always see swimmers.

This is not a problem unique to South Australia. Other jurisdictions in Australia and overseas have placed restrictions on where jet-skis can operate in order and to preserve the serenity of the foreshore and to avoid the dangerous mix of jet-skis and swimmers. Jet-skis are banned entirely from Sydney Harbour, from Broome's famous Cable Beach and have been prohibited in all national parks and recreation reserves in the USA for over a decade.

This petition calls on Minister Koutsantonis to restrict jet-ski operations to areas away from popular metropolitan swimming beaches and residential areas on the River Murray.

Our aim is to preserve our popular beaches and River foreshores for the quiet enjoyment of the vast majority who do not operate jet-skis, and to enhance the safety of all, including jet-ski operators, swimmers and other recreational users.