Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: aussiebasser on June 19, 2013, 12:36:03 PM
-
SEQWater will be starting their review on Wivenhoe and Somerset tomorrow.
Register here:
http://www.yourseqwater.com.au/projects/seqwater-recreation-review (http://www.yourseqwater.com.au/projects/seqwater-recreation-review)
-
"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..........................
-
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
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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. :thumb
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?
-
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.
-
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.
-
Click here now to have your say. It's relatively painless.
http://www.yourseqwater.com.au/projects/lake-wivenhoe-lake-somerset-and-lake-atkinson (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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
Copeton, free, Pindari, free, Mulwala, free, Hume, free, Clarrie Hall, free, Jindabyne, free, Eucumbene, free,Tantangra, free, Tumut, free,
-
Copeton, free, Pindari, free, Mulwala, free, Hume, free, Clarrie Hall, free, Jindabyne, free, Eucumbene, free,Tantangra, free, Tumut, free,
Yes but they dont exist, only SEQwater manage dams for recreational use, dont you read their propaganda informative information?
-
some people do not understand the meaning of user pays the more you use it the more you pay
-
I've completed the survey.
Personally, I'm happy to pay per use if it's reasonable. I very much like the idea of a toll gate with a low (say $2) fee each time I want to enter an access area to a dam. I do want to see Wivenhoe stay motor free, but definitely believe it needs more access points so more of the dam can be SAFELY accessed. Very suitable for differing weather conditions, pick the side that is best of the wind that day etc etc.
I think it would lead to increased usage, increased monies raised by SEQWater and benefit users overall.
There are plenty of other dams around that allow motor access, keeping one in this area free of them I see as a win win for all.
A single permit to cover all dams, I'm 50/50 about. If price is in the same range of the SIP then I'm probably for it, if it's over that, probably against it and would rather pay per use.
Murray
-
http://www.qt.com.au/news/dam-tourism-opens-up/1915960/ (http://www.qt.com.au/news/dam-tourism-opens-up/1915960/)
-
I can't understand why Wyaralong isn't having a review. SEQWater must be happy with that one. This is the list of what's left:
• Lake Samsonvale (North Pine Dam) and Lake Kurwongbah – July 2013
• Maroon and Moogerah dams – August 2013
• Ewen Maddock and Baroon Pocket – September 2013
• Borumba Dam and Lake Macdonald – October 2013
• Cooloolabin, Poona and Wappa dams – November 2013
• Clarendon and Bill Gunn (Lake Dyer) dams – February 2014
• Leslie Harrison Dam – March 2014
• Lake Manchester, Enoggera and Gold Creek dams – April 2014
• Hinze and Little Nerang dams – May 2014.
-
Wyaralong should be included with Maroon, Moogerah you would think.
-
I can't understand why Wyaralong isn't having a review. SEQWater must be happy with that one. This is the list of what's left:
• Lake Samsonvale (North Pine Dam) and Lake Kurwongbah – July 2013
• Maroon and Moogerah dams – August 2013
• Ewen Maddock and Baroon Pocket – September 2013
• Borumba Dam and Lake Macdonald – October 2013
• Cooloolabin, Poona and Wappa dams – November 2013
• Clarendon and Bill Gunn (Lake Dyer) dams – February 2014
• Leslie Harrison Dam – March 2014
• Lake Manchester, Enoggera and Gold Creek dams – April 2014
• Hinze and Little Nerang dams – May 2014.
The potential for sweetwater fishing in SEQ in some of the locations listed is MASSIVE....!!!!
Manchester, Enoggera, Gold Creek, Wappa, Cooloolabin, Leslie Harrison. We're squabbling over the scraps when we should be looking towards a bigger & brighter future. Imagine some great little bass lakes close to the population bases, giving more options for anglers. :OMG IMHO this is where our peak bodies should have been leading the way a decade ago.
-
Wyaralong should be included with Maroon, Moogerah you would think.
I see that Wyaralong has now been included with Maroon and Moogerah. Survey will be released August 14th.
-
POWERBOAT racing on Wivenhoe Dam as part of a heavily promoted Somerset Water Festival is something Ipswich West MP Sean Choat is committed to bringing about as part of his 2013 program.
Mr Choat would like to see rules currently preventing powerboats from operating on Wivenhoe Dam overturned.
He sees great potential for a water festival featuring powerboat racing as a major tourist attraction that would be embraced by the public and boost the economy in the Somerset and Lockyer Valley area.
"Any sort of carnival needs to cater for all parts of the community, but I think people want to see a bit of competition," he said.
"Some of the powerboat racing I've seen on the tele is fantastic and I reckon people would love to see it locally. Spectators would come from all over to watch it.
"If that happened we could have a 'Somerset Water Festival' going over a couple of weekends.
"There are not too many bodies of water that size that would be conducive to this sort of thing in Queensland.
"A dam like Wivenhoe is made for it and you could do it without taking out the whole thing.
"There are plenty of inlets and places where they can do other activities when that is going on.
"The potential for this is amazing."
Mr Choat acknowledged that "SEQ Water has been against it".
"But I think that is short-sighted and a mistake," he said.
"A lot of people have said to me, 'Why can't we have powerboats on Wivenhoe?' They are on Somerset and it is the same water.
"I believe Wivenhoe is something people should be able to use and be proud of. It is big enough for powerboats.
"SEQ Water has got to change its current policy of no power boats on Wivenhoe. There are ways to safeguard water quality.
"The business community see it as a big drawcard. Fernvale would be a big winner but also places like Esk, Lowood and even some of the smaller places like Toogoolawah would get something out of it too.
"I have already spoken to the minister (for energy and water supply) Mark McArdle to say it is something I will be pursuing."
Reader poll
Is a powerboat competition on Wivenhoe Dam a good idea?
This poll ended on 24 December 2012.
Yes 50%
No 49%
-
some people do not understand the meaning of user pays the more you use it the more you pay
that term "user pays" is a furphy. If taken to all levels then some examples are:
my kids have finished school so why are my taxes funding schools?
I do not use public hospitals so why are some of my taxes going to them?
why aren't all roads toll roads..user pays would fund all repairs on those roads.
I do not use public transport so why are my taxes used to subsidise this?
Answer to all: Governments tax the citizens to pay for all services for those citizens. This applies to recreational facilities etc also therefore a Governement has an obligation to provide these facilities from consolidated revenue and not add additional charges for the use of these facilities. I am against any further forms of taxation/fees instigated by Governments..surely we pay enough already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
Answer to all: Governments tax the citizens to pay for all services for those citizens. This applies to recreational facilities etc also therefore a Governement has an obligation to provide these facilities from consolidated revenue and not add additional charges for the use of these facilities. I am against any further forms of taxation/fees instigated by Governments..surely we pay enough already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SEQWater.s financial statement of the 2012/13 years show's them approx. 2.1million in the red, the statement is on there website, in 1996 when they first started closing area's they were spending almost 2 million on recreation maintenance and that was when they only had Somerset Dam and Wivenhoe to look after, not all the rest !! So how about we use this upcoming election to ask all the residents in SE Qld if they would mind paying a larger water bill and higher food prices (a number of farmers buy water from seqwater) so that we can have all these recreation area free and open to the public. What do you think they would say ??
I don't drive to Brisbane very often or get over to the Gold Coast but I understand tonnes of $$$$$ was spend on better roads, and bridges, even on the north side of Brisbane they have lovely new roads, what we need the state government to do is stop building and improving these roads I Don't use and put that money into the recreation area I do use !!
We pay less tax today by almost 30% compared to 1970 (Ken Henry Tax review) - when I first started work I was paid $115 a week and was taxed 11% or in our words I earn approx. $6000 a year and paid 11% tax...TODAY you can earn $20,000 and not pay tax !!!! The top tax bracket use to be 0.75c in the dollar - today it is only 0.48c in the dollar so are you sure we are paying enough tax ??
I am against any further forms of taxation/fees instigated by Governments..surely we pay enough already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well if you don't want to pay tax then you better get use to a user pays system.....what's the opening line of one of the political parties in the upcoming election.....Less Taxes
????
-
Somerset,Wivenhoe,Atkinsons survey closes tomorrow 500 responses so far (interestingly 600 for NPD/Kurwongbah already) last chance folks.