Call for fines at island crossing

People who cross the Mersey Point sandbar between the mainland and Penguin Island when it has been closed by authorities should be fined, South Metropolitan MLC Phil Edman has said.

Mr Edman’s call follows the drowning deaths of two men at the sandbar on December 28.

Mr Edman said he would lobby Environment Minister Bill Marmion to introduce fines after he saw people on Sunday ignoring warnings from Environment and Conservation Department rangers that the sandbar was closed because it was not safe to cross.

‘‘I don’t want another tragedy as a result of people who disregard advice from authorities and don’t consider the consequences of their actions,’’ he said.

The department said about 40 people ignored the closure signs and made the crossing from the mainland to Penguin Island.

A spokeswoman said a ranger spoke to about 15 people on the mainland and about half heeded his warning and caught the ferry.

She said the ranger then spoke to about 30 people on the island, all of whom caught the ferry back in stead of attempting the sandbar.

Mr Edman said he did not know how many people had drowned trying to make the crossing, but something had to be done before there was another tragedy.

Victoria Park resident Ron Hendriks was involved in a dramatic rescue at the sandbar in 1976.

He said a woman died in that incident and he believed a man had died some 50 years earlier while trying to cross the sandbar.

‘‘What will save lives is if they put some kind of marker buoys on the point, which is a dog leg, so when people get washed off they’ve got something to hang onto,’’ he said.