Bundalong - Moira Shire Council

4.2 Water based activitiesManagement of water based activities at the lake isrequired to control excessive use, protect the visual andenvironmental values of the lake and foreshore, and tomaintain user safety.The lake and associated rivers are primarily used forprivate recreational boating activities; however twocommercial cruise boats currently operate.Both powered and non powered vessels use thelake and associated rivers. Powered vessels includepersonal watercraft (PWC’s: wave runners, jet skis,speed boats etc often towing water skiers, wakeboarders or tubes), bbq boats, dinghies and cruiseboats. Non powered vessels include sail boards,sailboats or yachts (both off-the-beach and trailersailers), rowing boats, canoes and kayaks.There are a number of issues concerning both poweredand non-powered vessels, including:–The number of vessels and carrying capacity ofLake Mulwala and the upper reaches (includingthe ‘Everglades’ and the Ovens River).–––Increasing diversification of vessel types inYarrawonga, making management of the watersincreasingly difficultThe location and occupancy arrangementassociated with club houses serving water basedsportsThe storage of watercrafts on the lake.New South Wales Maritime is currently responsiblefor the management of boating activities on the lake.Goulburn-Murray Water are the landowners and licencethe private jetties and related structures. In addition,Moira Shire Council is experiencing increased pressureto provide public tie up facilities in the area, as atpresent, permanent moorings on Lake Mulwala is illegal.4.2.1 Powered vesselsLake Mulwala is primarily used for PWCs, water skiing,barbeque boats, and cruise boats. Wake boarding andwater skiing is increasingly popular further upstream inthe rivers around Bundalong. There are a number ofissues specific to powered vessels, and their impact onother lake and foreshore users: These include– The power and speed of vessels, and associatednoise– The general safety of boat users and other lakeusers– The proximity of high speed vessels to the shoreline– Over crowding of river traffic– The wake generated by vessels and towedpassengers, and the associated bank erosion– The impact of boat launching from informal privateboat ramps.– Concerns about the safety of refuelling, and potentialpollution spills.– Rails used by wake boarders are being left in thelake. These may be hazardous to other users– The general carrying capacity of the lake beingexceeded in the summer monthsIn Victoria there are an average of 760 recreation marinevessel incidents that occur each year . These incidentsinclude disablement of vessel, groundings, capsizingand collisions and result in vessel damage, loss ofvessel, injury and fatalities.Annually there are over 150 hospital admissions forrecreation boating accidents in Victoria. The greatestincrease in hospital admissions relate to water skiingand other towed water sports.The major cause of injuries involving boats includes fallsand being hit/struck/crush incidents that involve objects.5% of incidents resulted from being struck by or acollision with another person. Young adults, aged15–29 years, were more likely than other age groupsto be admitted to hospital or present to the emergencydepartment with non-fatal recreational boating injury.–––The increasing size of vessels, and theirimpact on other lake users, on-shore residentsand visitors, and shoreline erosionIncreased demand for mooring and launch facilitiesWhere vessels are allowed to operateIn addition to these, community consultation identifiedthat the lake and associated rivers are at (and oftenexceeding) capacity during the summer months, andanecdotal evidence suggests vessel operators donot always comply with the NSW Maritime Boatingregulations.–The presence and condition of private jettiesand the demand for community jettiesPage 56