CANOE hire operator Dave Breedon hopes the closure of the Noreuil Park ramp to boats and jet-skis will reduce dangerous behaviour in the area.
The ramp will be a launch spot for canoeists, kayakers and rowers but bigger vessels will have to use Kremur Street from March 4.
Mr Breedon said there was a four-knot speed limit upstream of the Noreuil ramp but it wasn’t always adhered to.
The Murray River Canoe Hire owner said he often saw people on their boats driving through the popular swimming area “like maniacs”.
“Yesterday I was here and there were two little racing tinnies that just came flying through here and they were completely oblivious to the speed limit,” Mr Breedon said.
“I’ve seen jet-skiers and boaters come through at 60 to 80 km/h and there are swimmers with their heads just above water.
“It would be so easy to wipe them out.”
Mr Breedon said those driving the boats might not always be aware that they were breaking the law.
He said there needed to be more signs to make it clear to those in the area there was a four-knot limit.
There isn’t any information at the boat ramps advising water users of this rule.
After March 4 Mr Breedon said his company would apply to continue to use the Noreuil Park boat ramp.
At Noreuil, Mr Breedon can walk the canoes to the water’s edge without the aid of a vehicle.
Mr Breedon said he had made a submission to the council to continue to have access to the ramp when he used a boat for guided group tours.
As it stands, the access is for emergency vehicles only.
If Mr Breedon’s submission is not successful, he’ll be making the trip to the Kremur Street ramp with everybody else.