Navigation markers on the Swan and Canning rivers have been upgraded to assist skippers using the waterways, especially at night.

Department for Planning and Infrastructure Manager of Navigational Safety and Compliance Ray Buchholz said the installation of synchronised lighting on existing lateral marks between Point Heathcote and the Mount Henry Bridge and also between the Causeway and Windan Bridge would significantly improve night navigation in those areas.

"In addition, new lateral marks with synchronised lighting has been installed at Canning Bride and the Causeway to help skippers safely navigate the channel under the bridges at night," Mr Buchholz said.

"There is a need to standardise bridge lighting on the Swan and Canning rivers to ease confusion stemming from the existing variety of lighting configurations. The improvements at Canning Bridge and the Causeway is a significant step towards addressing the issue."

Mr Buchholz said there had also been improvements to navigation markers at Rocky Bay, which was one of the busiest stretches of the Swan River for vessel traffic.

"New markers have been installed and changes made to existing ones to direct vessels away from the sandbar and make it easier to navigate the designated channels," Mr Buchholz said.

"The changes at Rocky Bay, made in consultation with the boating community, will help  ease congestion in an extremely busy section of the river, especially during peak times."    

Mr Buchholz said the improvements to navigation markers on the Swan and Canning had cost in the order of $62,000 and had been implemented as part of the Department's 2008/09 Navigation Aid Capital Works Plan.

Mr Buchholz also indicated that the Department was committed to further improvements to navigation aids within the Swan and Canning Rivers during 2009-10.

He  said the Department was responsible for developing and maintaining an extensive network of navigation aids within WA waters to provide safe passage for recreational and commercial vessels.

"The Department currently manages more than 1,000 navigation aides in WA and works closely with stakeholders to identify projects and works to improve navigation and keep boat owners and their passengers safe."

People wanting more information about the Department’s navigation aid program can visit www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine or call the Navigational Safety section on 9431 1025.

MEDIA CONTACT: Bronwyn Hillman 0408 098 220

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