Just in case you missed it SEQWater review

[Member]

SEQWater will be starting their review on Wivenhoe and Somerset tomorrow.


Register here:
http://www.yourseqwater.com.au/projects/seqwater-recreation-review

[Member]

"and is the only bulk water provider in Australia that manages 'open' catchments allowing the community to use lakes and catchment land for recreation"
Not true, give myself rsi typing the list of others that do..........................

[Member]

Is this the third or their 4th chop at it?
 You still have to be involved and have your say.
 Never know may even achieve something.
 I will be stressing that whatever happens it should be at no charge to the user otherwise we will be paying for access to every dam.
 Cheers
Ray

[Member]

Wouldn't one fee which covers every dam be a fairer method?  My belief is that a boom gate on every public access area with a $2 entry for all vehicles would be much, much fairer than expecting just the boat users of Somerset and Wivenhoe to pay for the upkeep of all the facilities at all the other dams controlled by SEQWater.  Surely a fair and equal system is better.

[Member]

The problem is how long would it stay at $2 per entry.
As soon as they commence charging they would say we need it to be commercially viable to give us a return on our capital ( Forgetting it is the taxpayers money in the first place)
You just have to look at NSW where it costs you $9 to get into Keepit or Glenbawn.
With Wivenhoe we should be asking for the old access points that were shut down to be reopened so that more areas of the dam can be safely accessed.Especially if the desire for the dam to remain leccy only is still there.

 Just remember there will be a lot of other groups such as skiers and racing boats also wishing to get or extend access to the dams
Take the time to Have a good look at the discussion papers and then complete the survey
Cheers
Ray

[Member]

So, Ray, you're happy that Somerset and Wivenhoe users are forced to pay a premium so that users of other lakes can have the benefit of free use?  With regard the price increases, I don't recall any increases in the last 5 years, maybe longer, in the Somerset and Wivenhoe permit fees.  How about you ask for what you want and I'll just ask for what is fair for all, when we've reviewed the discussion paper?  Just a pity, Somerset and Wivenhoe will be decided upon, before some of the others are even considered, opening up the way for yet another unfair outcome for the two big money earners.

[Member]

Wouldn't one fee which covers every dam be a fairer method?  My belief is that a boom gate on every public access area with a $2 entry for all vehicles would be much, much fairer than expecting just the boat users of Somerset and Wivenhoe to pay for the upkeep of all the facilities at all the other dams controlled by SEQWater.  Surely a fair and equal system is better.

A good point 'Basser, I totally agree. 

Either a boom gate / coin entry, or one permit that is required at all lakes and is used for upkeep of facilities at all. Currently the boating permit for Somerset & Wivenhoe is helping pay for toilets and boat ramps etc at all of the other lakes ....how is that fair?

[Member]

Not a permit, everyone pays, not just boaters and fishers.  I doubt they'd need to raise the fee from $2.  At Cressbrook, everyone who uses the area pays their $2 per car.  Do the same at The Spit, Kirkleigh, Borumba, Atkinson's, Moogerah, Maroon, Hinze, North Pine (Bullocky's Rest etc.) MacDonald, Ewen Maddock....et al.  It would add up to a very tidy sum and probably eclipse the fees raised from Somerset and Wivenhoe.  You could even subbie it out to the GoVia people.

[Member]

I'm with you on that one. There has been boom gates at Cressbrook for a long time, works well, easy, no waiting, cheap enough. I would prefer that for all dams, so even day use visitors just bank fishing, or picnicing are paying their way.

[Member]

Click here now to have your say.  It's relatively painless.

http://www.yourseqwater.com.au/projects/lake-wivenhoe-lake-somerset-and-lake-atkinson


Click on "Online Surveys" on the right hand side of the screen.

[Member]

Access should be free to all of them. Your all forgetting we, as taxpayers, already paid for all the dams and boat ramps to be built.
Someone build s a private dam and wants to raise funds to pay for a ramp, then I'll come to the party, otherwise bugger off, I've already paid for it.

As for the facilities, I dont use them, the boat ramps wont wear out, no need for any up keep.

[Member]

Boat ramps do wear out.  Roads leading to boat ramps wear out.  Toilet facilities need to be maintained.  Grass areas need to be mowed.  Bins need to be emptied. Etc. etc. etc.

[Member]

So, Ray, you're happy that Somerset and Wivenhoe users are forced to pay a premium so that users of other lakes can have the benefit of free use?
What facts do you base this statement on? I certainly did not state it or infer it.
  With regard the price increases, I don't recall any increases in the last 5 years, maybe longer, in the Somerset and Wivenhoe permit fees.
If a $2 fee in your opinion is appropriate why do a lot of dams in NSW charge everyone around $9 per car per entry.
Where has this mindset eventuated that we should be paying for something that apart for 3 dams has previously been free?
 Who remembers when the BCC ran somerset even the camping was free?
A more equitable solution would be to remove the current charges for somerset/wivenhoe and cressbrook.
A $2 per entry fee would deduct a total of $300 per year from my pension.
I have not completed the survey as yet as there is a lot to study in the 3 proposals for the different dams.
 They mention the bridge problem for access to Billys bay surely this is a Somerset council problem not SEQ waters.
They also speak about building new ramps when there is already a ramp at Billys bay.
I am not familiar with what facilities are at the other sites that they previously closed down in Wivenhoe.
Maybe someone could comment on this.
Cheers
Ray

[Member]

Ray, you get to fill out a survey, and I get to fill out a survey.  We don't have to agree.  Our opinions only matter on the survey.  The bridge issue has been discussed here in the past. 

[Member]

Copeton, free, Pindari, free, Mulwala, free, Hume, free, Clarrie Hall, free, Jindabyne, free, Eucumbene, free,Tantangra, free, Tumut, free,