The Save Boating on the Murray River group, which started the online petition to NSW Maritime Minister Melinda Pavey, wants to shift the issue from erosion to improving safety and etiquette on the water.

And a protest march over the Australia Day weekend has been raised as one possible future action.

Group members Brett Butler and Jason Burns, of Bundalong, said they believed erosion was not sufficient reason for a ban, but conceded the behaviour of some people operating wake boats caused concern.

Mr Butler said they wanted to encourage wake surfing boats to use Majors Creek, still close to Bundalong.

“It’s a much wider and safer part of the river to do it,” he said. “Rather than banning an activity, relocate it to a more user-friendly part of the river.”

Public consultation continues over the draft erosion management plan for the river section between Corowa and the Ovens junction that proposes a three-year trial restriction on vessel wash.

This could prohibit wakeboarding, wake surfing and other activities that enhance wash, a move that has divided community opinion.

Save Boating on the Murray River met with representatives from Murray Darling Basin Authority and NSW Roads and Maritime Services last week.

Mr Butler said the meeting had been a productive one, with the lobby group keen to create an alternative plan.

“They were willing to listen to us and let us come back to them on January 10 with a proposed activity plan,” he said.

“If we get everyone to show a little bit of etiquette and respect on the river and follow some simple rules, then we could possibly stop the proposed ban.

“If our plan’s not welcomed by RMS and MDBA, then we’ll be showing our protest by marching across the Yarra/Mul traffic bridge on the Australia Day weekend.” 

Representatives from MDBA and RMS could not be contacted late Wednesday.

Mr Burns said any ban could lead to further boating restrictions elsewhere.

“This is a test pattern here of what’s going to happen down the Murray River,” he said.