Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: aussiebasser on November 05, 2014, 02:37:47 PM
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Date: 01/11/2014
Pursuant to section 222 of the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2004, Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority, trading as Seqwater, has prepared an application for a Marine Zone over the entirety of Lake Wivenhoe and is now inviting submissions from public authorities, industry, interested groups and persons, and the public.
The proposed Marine Zone will extend from the dam wall separating Lake Wivenhoe and Lake Somerset (-27.115445, 152.556539) south to the Lake Wivenhoe dam wall (-27.394403, 152.609024), west along the Brisbane River to Lower Cressbrook (-27.096668, 152.473884) and
includes all navigable tributaries to the lake.
Submissions on the application may be made via email to recreation@seqwater.com.au or by calling 1800 505 182 (business hours) or in writing to:
Recreation Support Officer
Seqwater
PO Box 68
Petrie QLD 4500
To be considered a properly made submission all submissions must:
•Be received during the notification period
•Include the name and address of each person who made the submission
•State the grounds of the submission and the facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds
•Be made to Seqwater.
The closing date for public comment is 1 December 2014.
More information:
•Copy of the public notice for print
•Marine Zone Proposal Wivenhoe Dam (October 2014)
•Map of Lake Wivenhoe boating zone
•Consultation Summary Report for lakes Atkinson, Somerset and Wivenhoe (November 2013)
•Notification, education and enforcement plan - Marine Zone Lake Wivenhoe (October 2013)
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Currently a Marine Zone is:
Marine zones
(1) An area is a marine zone if schedule 14A states it is a marine
zone.
(2) A person who is the owner or master of a ship must not
operate the ship in a marine zone in contravention of a
requirement mentioned in schedule 14A for the marine zone.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units.
(3) However, a person who is the owner or master of a ship may
operate the ship in a marine zone if the ship is owned and
operated by either of the following entities and is being
operated in the course of the entity’s rescue, lifesaving or
emergency activities—
(a) a volunteer marine rescue association or a surf
lifesaving association accredited by the emergency
services department;
(b) the emergency services department.
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Currently the only listing under Schedule 14A is:
Marine zone
The waters of Tallebudgera Creek
RequirementA personal watercraft must not be
operated in the marine zone.
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My understanding from all of this is that the new boating regulations on Lake Wivenhoe are not enforceable. The only current regulation is that there is a blanket speed limit of 40 knots on all inland waters in Queensland except those stated here: http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/~/media/msqinternet/msqfiles/home/waterways/speed%20limits/speedlimitsqldwaterways.pdf (http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/~/media/msqinternet/msqfiles/home/waterways/speed%20limits/speedlimitsqldwaterways.pdf)
and Lake Wivenhoe is not listed.
If I was a rebel, I would suggest that maybe the 6 knot speed limit is currently unenforceable although SEQWater may be able to rescind your boating permit if they were able to prove that you were exceeding 6 knots.
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So where do they get off applying for the zone for areas not under their control eg all navigable tributaries?
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Where are the speed limits on Wivenhoe anyway and where are the signs saying what engines are allowed??? I have seen heaps of 2 strokes out there and I should be able to do what ever speed I wish as there sure aren't any signs on the dam proper anywhere. I rarely do 6 knots out there, more like what ever gets me on the plane, usually about 12 knots. I reckon there is more of a bow wave at 6 knots then there is at 12 knots...a large dam such as that and you have to put put around it. I don't get it, oh yes to stop the skiers... yes. Good to see the legislation supports me....
Cheers
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Thanks for doing the homework Basser. :tick
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Sel, I'm not sure what you're trying to say. You don't like people with 2 Stroke motors ignoring the rules, but you ignore the speed limit rule? Weren't you against the "Stink Boats" on Wivenhoe?
The fact is, Lake Wivenhoe is privately owned, they can set the rules. Currently the only way they could enforce them is to rescind your permit if you don't follow the rules. Publicly admitting you don't follow the speed limit rules would probably be enough to have your permit cancelled.
Binder, they can apply for where ever they like, if you wish to oppose it you can follow the links in the original post. The only navigable tributary I know of is the upper Brisbane River, I doubt that many people can get above O'Shae's Crossing in a boat and then want to do more than 6 knots. Are there other tributaries you know of?
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With a full load at 6 knots you could ride a longboard on my wake, the yakkers love me :)
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Mine is pretty bad at 6 knots then again if you're going from point A to point B at Wivenhoe you're better off trolling, you'll catch a lot more fish that way.
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I must say that I am in favor as I cannot see any drawbacks and the fact that I will give designated seq employees some power to actually enforce the regulations and actually issue infringement notices for breaches.
Wonder if they have any plans to eventually enfold all of their dams with similar legislation;
As an aside I am flabbergasted that some people can say that they are not aware of any of the restrictions currently in place.
Cheers
Ray
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The people selling the permits are supposed to ask about the motor on the boat. I believe the signs at all public launch facilities advise the rules and the speed restrictions.
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Sel, I'm not sure what you're trying to say. You don't like people with 2 Stroke motors ignoring the rules, but you ignore the speed limit rule? Weren't you against the "Stink Boats" on Wivenhoe?
The fact is, Lake Wivenhoe is privately owned, they can set the rules. Currently the only way they could enforce them is to rescind your permit if you don't follow the rules. Publicly admitting you don't follow the speed limit rules would probably be enough to have your permit cancelled.
No I said that to see what you would say, doesn't mean its true.... I don't care what other people do,made that comment about the two strokes, its true. Yes I was against but I was a tool to think a few boats would make a difference at Wivy, the fact is they don't . I won't be going up to mr. 2 stroker and saying you're on the wrong dam with that motor. I doubt he would even have a permit. His mate at the pub probably just heard about motors being allowed at the dam not the actual details or he is ignorant and thinks whats a bit of 2 stroke going to hurt, I own a boat and I can use it where I want...besides your can put in a two stroker at Burtons, twinnies and the like?? Kholo too I would say DOWN STREAM from the dam, Cows can even cr@p in it for free, I was up at Hamons one day in my yak and a boat load of bass pros came in from up river on full plane, I did mention it to him at the ramp, he said who cares...
I have been on the dam plenty of times, only pulled up once,,,been there plenty of times since I've never scene seq water since
I don't think the bloke at Mitre 10 in the Pie town was too worried about my motor, I had to tell him how to fill out the permit...
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I believe the signs at all public launch facilities advise the rules and the speed restrictions.
I've never seen these signs? Are they minute.
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I'll take a photo next time I'm out there, although I think Fitz did already. I mainly use Billies and I don't look for signs. I do often see people speeding on the road, but I don't normally stop them to tell them they're speeding. I did tell a couple of Aussie blokes that were filleting their Tilapia on the Picnic table at Hamon Cove the other day that they should be careful because Fisheries will book them for it. I copped a mouthful from one of them for trying to help them out. They had a good feed of Yellas too.
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So what does thia mean. None of us will be able to enjoy our dam we all love. Have a minority ruined it for us
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The only difference to the current arrangement that I can see is that it will give the rangers powers to actually enforce the regulations.
Cannot see that this is a backward step.
Personally I think that it should happen on all of their dams.
Should sort out some of the cowboys who dont seem to care,
Cheers
Ray
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Dale you said "The fact is, Lake Wivenhoe is privately owned, they can set the rules."
The asset is owned by the Qld Government and 'managed/operated' by SEQWATER. Therefore as a gov't asset. we the wonderful taxpaying public of Qld actually OWN it...but try telling that to the gov't (whatever flavour).
from the govt MSQ site:-
Marine zone legislation is about better managing our waterways at a local level to balance the needs of maritime users with local community concerns about amenity.
Marine zones establish controls (including restrictions or prohibitions) on certain types of ships or activities within a specified area of our waterways. An example of the type of restriction that could be enforced via a marine zone is a limitation on jet skis, hovercraft and vessels engaged in waterskiing on a declared stretch of river before 10am on Saturdays and Sundays.
Local government determines the need for marine zones following extensive community consultation and an assessment of options before formally approaching Maritime Safety Queensland for their establishment.
Does that mean the Somerset Shire is the proposer?? or has SEQWATER become a local govt ???
Only other MZ in the SEQ are Tallebudgerra Crk and Noosa River
I see it as giving the rangers some clout to ping offenders...and that can't be a bad thing for the future
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I'm not a lawyer Brad, I put the info up so that if anyone wanted to object, they could. I'm pretty sure that the legal advisers for SEQWater have just told them that they cannot do what they are doing, so they have found a way around it. It doesn't bother me either way. I don't have too much of an issue, in fact I think 6 knots is too fast. As even Sel admits, there is a lot more wake at 6 knots than at 3. I normally troll to where I want to be. I use Billies Bay to launch because it's closer to where I want to fish. Yes, I hammer the Mayor and Councillors every chance I get about fixing the bridge, but as usual, I'm the only one doing it. The ones who are whining about it can't write a letter or make a phone call themselves. I'm probably a fool, I should just keep it for myself and the couple of others I see out there and not worry about the rest. That seems to be the way people are now.
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Do you still need to be a member to get in over at the Landing?? Thought I heard it was going to be open to public over there????
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Good question Sel. I stopped my membership because it was not user friendly for me to go on the weekend they stipulated to pay my fees. I work weekends, so I no longer have a key, and haven't fished Billy's in years. I sure hope we do get access.
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It is still currently under lease to the sailing club
would take a bit of $$$ to ope it up to the general pubic is my thoughts
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Thanks for your info StevenM
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SEQWater won't open it until they can reseal the road to the ramp. They cannot get the equipment in to do that until Somerset Council fix the bridges and lift the weight restriction. Somerset Council do not care about tourism so they have the job on the back burner. It seems I'm the only one making official complaints about it. I'm hoping to meet the local State Member and the Premier soon to try to escalate it, but it suits me to have it closed so I may not bother.