Property owners warned against illegal lake works

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Property owners warned against illegal lake works
21 May 2013 - NSW DPI

Lake Mulwala lakefront property owners are being cautioned about undertaking any work on their properties, when Lake Mulwala is drawn down later this month, Fisheries NSW Conservation Manager Luke Pearce, said today.
Lake Mulwala, in the State’s south, will supply water to help manage salinity level in the lower Murray River, while essential maintenance is undertaken on the Mildura weir.

“The Murray Darling Basin Authority has advised Lake Mulwala will start being lowered from late May by about five to 10 centimetres each day, and by early June is expected to reach 90 centimetres below full supply level,” Mr Pearce said.

“Lake Mulwala property owners who reside in the town of Mulwala should be aware that the Murray River is managed by NSW authorities and should check with their local council and NSW Department of Primary Industries on required approvals before undertaking any riverfront works.

“Unauthorised works include the construction of retaining walls, pontoons, wharves, jetties, boat ramps, dumping of rocks/bricks/soil, riverbank excavation, removing or relocating snags and removing riverbank vegetation.

“This can lead to loss of fish habitat, sedimentation, erosion and other water pollution issues and attract penalties up to $110,000 for individuals or $220,000 for corporations.

“Fisheries officers will be regularly patrolling the lakefront for any unauthorised works during the period of the Mulwala drawdown.

“Property owners found to be illegally undertaking works on their property could be liable for the cost of remediation works.”

Mr Pearce said local councils in NSW will work closely with DPI, Office of Water, and Roads and Maritime Services to minimise the impact on the aquatic environment by assessing applications to ensure the river's values are protected, and the works are undertaken in an environmentally sensitive manner.

“The Department is serious about protecting key fish habitats which underpin the production of the State’s fisheries,” Mr Pearce said.

“Often illegal works result in further erosion of the foreshore upstream and downstream as they are not designed correctly.

“Illegal works damaging or harming these habitats will not be tolerated.”

For a free brochure ‘Living and Working on a Riverbank’ contact NSW DPI on (03) 5019 8408