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Jenny Bounds and I, together with Marg Peachey from
the RSPCA, inspected the site of the proposed water ski trial on Thursday
afternoon.
Though we have only a very poor map (the one
published in Tuesday's Canberra Times seems to be the clearest) it
is apparent+ that there have been some changes to the original proposal we
discussed with the NCA on 2 August. Not only has the location been moved
several hundred metres to the west, it also seems to be reduced in scale.
Initially it was to be a 600 metre slalom course running parallel to the shore
directly opposite the Boathouse Restaurant/Clare Holland Hospice and the
adjacent boatramp (see map 59 in the Yellow Pages) with a turnaround as close as
60 metres from the eastern shores of East Basin (ie the W edge of Jerrabomberra
wetlands). The proposal now is for a 370 metres course starting
approx mid way between the boat ramp and the car turning circle (see above map)
and heading across the bay towards the N end of King's Ave Bridge.
Despite the launch of the Recreational Policy for
LBG by the Minister for Territories on Monday morning information is difficult
to come by. For example this is not (nor an associated Press Release) on
either his or the NCA web site, and the best source of info seems to be the C/T
article and a short press release put out by the ACT Chief Minister, and the
transcript of the interview on 666 ABC radio on Monday morning. This
confirms that it will be a 4 (rather than the 6 sought initially) month trial,
mainly conducted on weekdays [though on up to 2 (of 4) weekends as well], and
that only one boat will be allowed at the one time. I also understand that
it will involve a special boat type with a low noise and wake potential though
are unable to confirm this. Note too that it will be a slalom
training course only for elite skiers.
Despite these changes there are still concerns,
including about the welfare of birds. A big one is the closed shop in
which the discussions have been held, basically only with those with a
"direct" interest in the lake (users forum). COG had no further
feedback from the NCA after we made our views clear early in August, and we did
not hear about the launch until the ABC contacted the Conservation Council about
its views 30 minutes before the policy was to be launched. Another is
that the environmental impact will be monitored during the trial, rather than in
full before hand as we had advocated (the NCA appears to have no brief at all on
the need to consult). From the remarks made by the Minister and the
images of him skiing on the lake, it is very easy to take the cynical view
that it is all a "fait accompli", that the trial will be an overwhelming
success, and it will be open slather from next year. He certainly
left the door open for that in his radio interview.
While COG will be writing to the NCA expressing our
concerns about the lack of consultation and
seeking the documents upon which it was determined an impact on birds will not
be severe, there are some things that concerned COG members and other
subscribers to this list can do.
1. Write to the Canberra Times or preferably
the Territories Minister Jim Lloyd (C/- Parliament House Canberra) expressing
your concerns. Do this in your own handwriting (or typing) choosing your
own words using some of the issues expressed here (lack of community
consultation, likely impact on birds, the need for at least one of the 3 basins
to be reserved for passive recreation). As I mentioned at the COG
meeting the power of a few well crafted letters from concerned
constituents as opposed to signing a form letter or petition is
remarkable. In his radio interview he claimed more people had written in
support rather than against, I suspect very few people really knew what was
going to happen.
2. We are also looking for some members who
are happy to do some monitoring of bird numbers along this stretch of the lake
both before the trial starts next month and also during the ensuing trial.
This should be along the foreshore starting from the mouth of Molonglo Reach to
close the King's Ave Bridge and can probably best be done in the form of a
500 metre area search to be compatible with the COG database (land birds numbers
would also be very useful). A fair bit of this has steep sides and
therefore does not attract much loafing waterfowl, but there is also a sloping
beach for about 200 metres or so W of the boat ramp which is much more
attractive. Waterbirds are also fed here by the public, increasing their
numbers.
3. Above all if you see anything that is
beyond the bounds of the remit for the trial (such as two boats, general
waterskiing or operating outside of the boundaries), please report it to the NCA
(or write to the Minister, who alleges he wants to hear the views of the public)
to register your complaint.
Jack Holland
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