Dear Riparians,
We, and others, are custodians of the most beautiful inland waterway in Victoria. We live on the riverbank, lake, and weir. We are well placed to make observations regarding the health of the river, lake, and weir and make observations about the behaviour of those involved water activities.
The fragile waterways are suffering.
Increasing high speed river traffic is causing a massive problem with riverbank erosion and loss of many trees.
10 years ago, several of us commissioned a soil study.
“Due to the fragile soil type, a desire to retain the river environs and to prevent further saltation of the Nagambie lakes and river, it is strongly recommended that This section be preserved and restricted at least to its current zoning (5 knots).Defined riverbanks in this region are very steep and eroded.”
A scientific research project by Curtin University conducted on the Swan River measured boat wash, nine different hull types were tested across a range of boat speeds and distances from the shoreline.
“It is clear that shoreline erosion is very likely as a result of vessel generated waves where a blanket speed limit of 8 or 9 knots or greater is imposed”.
“It is also clear that a reduction of vessel speed down to 5 or 6 knots should dramatically reduce the potential for erosion.”
Nagambie Waterways review 2021-22 has recommended that new ski areas be provided upstream of Mitchelton Bridge and upstream of Chinaman’s Bridge and that the 5-knot zone at the S-bends between Teddy Bear Island and Heath Island be increased to 20 knots.
There are currently many problems associated with high-speed boating on a narrow and fragile river. These include anti-social and threatening behaviour, safety issues and noise pollution.
However, above all, this is an environmental issue. Lost riverbanks can never be replaced.
We have a river of great beauty that is being slowly destroyed by high-speed boating and jet ski activities. We must slow things down before it is too late.
One solution is to consider removing towed activities, wakeboarding, water skiing and jet skiing downstream, (i.e. north of Kirwans Bridge) to where the river widens and into Goulburn Weir Lake. This is currently an unrestricted speed zone. These activities would not be allowed on Lake Nagambie.
Vessels transiting from Lake Nagambie to the Weir would be expected to respect current speed restrictions. The River between Chinaman’s Bridge and the ski zone would be limited to 5 knots. The riverbank in this section is particularly vulnerable to erosion. The river between Teddy Bear Island and Heath Island was identified as an area of concern two years ago, and it is currently a 5-knot zone and should remain so.
Thus, the riverbank and Lake Nagambie would be protected, and the river and lake made safer and accessible from all boating activities, e.g. fishing, rowing, swimming, kayaking and gentle river cruising.
Water skiing, wakeboarding and jet skiing activity would be limited to:
1: Recurrent ski zone
2: North of Kirwans bridge and the Goulburn Weir Lake.
Jet ski activity to be prohibited on the river and prohibited on Lake Nagambie.
The above suggestions have been produced by the collective wisdom of local Nagambians who express great concern about these matters.
These recommendations are made with a view to:
1: The environment and the long-term health of the river.
2. The safety and wellbeing of those on the water who are not involved in high-speed boating activities.
3. The policing of aberrant behaviour would be made easier limiting high speed to two specific areas.
If implemented these changes would be embraced by Nagambie residents, fishers, rowers, swimmers, kayakers, sailors, and all of those who appreciate the great beauty of this stretch of the Goulburn River.
It is important that Goulburn Murray Water and the Catchment Management Authority be involved in any further engagement of the Strathbogie Council.
I welcome further discussion, comments, and feedback.
Yours Sincerely,
ROBERT THOMAS
Nagambie
