On a radio interview I heard yesterday, it was emphasised (by
proponents of the trial, plus the TAMS person, Jane Carder ) that
the trial would involve those practicing for water ski events only,
and ONLY (much emphasis) a single boat on the water at anyone time,
and that modern boats were "quiet"... . No mention of boat wash
etc. It was being proposed that the trial would be for 2 hrs every
morning 5 days a week plus some other "windows" of time, afternoons
and weekends..(see details below) -
Robin Hide
More information here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-22/water-ski-proposal-for-lake-ginninderra/3845522?section=act
Water ski proposal for Lake Ginninderra
Updated February 22,
2012 22:37:46
The ACT Government has put forward plans to allow
people to water ski and wake board on Lake Ginninderra at
Belconnen.
Canberra-based water skiers currently have to travel interstate
to train because the only authorised area in city's south is
closed.
The Molonglo Reach water ski area, off Morsehead Drive was closed
in November because of the safety risks from sandbar movement.
The stretch of river was also closed for an extended period
during 2011 after extensive flooding left tree trunks and debris
strewn along the river, posing safety problems for skiers.
The Government has begun community consultation on a proposal to
trial the sport on Lake Ginninderra between April and Christmas.
Jane Carder from Territory and Municipal Services says the trial
is not for social skiing, but to help people who want to train for
water skiing competition.
"We're looking at really restricted hours under a very tight
permit arrangement," Ms Carder said.
"They would be operating possibly in the early mornings, from
7:00am to 9:00am and maybe a window in the afternoon, maybe from
4:00pm to 6:00pm. But the exact times haven't been pinned down
yet, until we've spoken to all other lake user groups.
"At this stage we are looking at the week days, possibly a small
window on the weekend."
Only one water ski boat will be allowed on the lake at any one
time during the trial.
Ms Carder says people attending a Belconnen Community Council
meeting raised concerns about noise from ski boats, increased
waves and the impact on wildlife.
"There was lot of questions, a lot of information was shared,"
she said.
"We'll be putting some signs up around the lake as well to let
everyone else know that there is this trial proposed for the
lake."
It is estimated there are about 100 competitive water skiers in
the ACT.
Ben McCullogh from the ACT Water Ski Association says the members
want to have a dedicated site for training.
"We don't have a training facility in the ACT, and in fact we
don't have one in near proximity to the ACT," he said.
"So competitive water skiers based in Canberra really have to
travel long distances to advance their skills and improve their
competitiveness in the sport.
"These people need a permanent site where they can go and train,
and they know the infrastructure is going to be there."
Topics: lifestyle-and-leisure, water-management, environment,
belconnen-2617, act
First posted February
22, 2012 16:33:40
On 25/02/2012 1:56 PM, Margaret Leggoe wrote:
You
are right about the noise, Martin. I remember trying to
study for exams in Brisbane with speedboat races taking
place on the Brisbane river outside the window. It was not
so much the boats, as the loud music and loudspeaker
announcements that drove one potty.
Margaret
Leggoe
Chris
I must disagree with you that water skiing and water boarding
(I assume the "Lakes Officer" knows so little about the
activity that they don't know the usual name is wake boarding)
are not torture.
How even TAMS could consider these activities so close to
residences is beyond belief. As it is narrow, the wake etc
will have an imapact on birds right across the Lake.
Martin
On Sat, Feb 25, 2012 at 12:20 PM, Chris
Davey <m("aapt.net.au","chris_davey");">>
wrote:
Hi,
I
have received notice from the Lakes Officer (TAMS) that
there will be a trial on Lake Ginninderra to look at the
feasibility of allowing a water skiing and water
boarding area (no not a torture area) on the lake. The
trail will go from April through to sometime in December
2012, after which there will be a period for public
comment.
The
area under consideration is along the western edge of
the peninsular between the peninsular point and the boat
ramp.
For
us to have an informed input into the decision making
process I believe we need to take the opportunity to
gather information on any disturbance caused to the
birds in the area. I have asked that we are told when
the events will be conducted so that it will allow us to
document any disturbance. In addition, I would like to
survey the birds using the area both along the eastern
edge (control) and the western edge of the peninsular.
This will mean walking along the edge or cycle/foot path
to determine the number and species of birds using the
area.
We
need to gather as much information as possible so if
there is anyone interested to help please contact me and
I will provide you with a map and data sheets.
Chris
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