Rising “safety concerns” have led one of the region’s largest commercial marinas to introduce “Pedestrian Only” zones.
From mid-December, all Coral Sea Marina Resort waterfront pathways, pontoons, and marina villages will require all personal mobility device users to dismount and walk through the denoted areas, or to take an alternate route – including cyclists.
Citing the “exponential” increase in electric personal mobility devices, such as e-scooters and e-skateboards, as the deciding factor for the decision, Coral Sea Marina Resort has partnered with Whitsunday Regional Council to demarcate its Pedestrian Only Zones.
CEO of Coral Sea Marina, Kate Purdie, said the new zones throughout the precinct are an “added safety measure for the benefit of everyone sharing the site.”
“The waterfront pathways are utilised by vessel owners, passengers, and business operators with loaded trolleys every day, in addition to visitors passing through on foot including people with prams and young children, and those walking dogs,” Ms Purdie said.
“We have recently seen an increase in the number of bikes, e-scooters and electric skateboards on these pathways, many traveling at high speed and with little regard for the safety of others.
“To ensure these pathways remain safe, we need to keep all traffic at a walking pace.”
Ms Purdie said an alternate route through The Gardens remains available for those who wish to pass through the south marina to reach their final destination, whilst, in the north marina, there is no alternate route available, “so everyone must dismount and walk through the village.”
Directional signage will be installed throughout the precinct making it “very clear” to all users where the Pedestrian Only Zones are located.
Maps have also been designed and distributed throughout Airlie Beach already.
The decision aligns with new laws regarding mobility devices which went into effect across Queensland on 1 November to “ensure the safety of riders and pedestrians alike”.
The Marina has built additional bike and scooter parking facilities within its premise so visitors “have a dedicated place to lock up their wheeled devices whilst enjoying” the Marina’s offering.
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