The draft Murray River erosion management plan (Corowa to Ovens River) has prompted strong views since being released for public consultation last month.

Online feedback so far has varied from describing wake boats as “pure vandalism” to calling moves to restrict them “economic suicide”.

Robert, a resident in the area for 63 years, said he had seen massive changes, with the river becoming wider and shallower.

“A combination of the river dropping fast, which leaves the banks wet and they fall in; also the wake boats make massive waves which are pounding the banks all day long in the summer months,” he wrote.

“Lake Mulwala would be a better spot for them.”

Mathew commented on the impact of the wake boats on fishing boats.

“Every time a big wake boat went past, it felt as though you were going to get thrown out of the boat,” he said.

Nick said wake producing vessels were dangerous in this section while some people thought wake surfing shouldn’t occur on the river.

“But I would like to see some definite research to prove that it is just the wakeboards causing the erosion before a ban is put in place and it affects much of the tourism in the local area,” Karen said.

Travis said he had lived on the river all his life and wakeboarded since the sport’s inception.

“Erosion has been occurring well before larger boat wakes and wakeboarding is being unfairly blamed,” he said.

A Roads and Maritime Services spokeswoman said Monday’s information session would be followed by further events in Yarrawonga (February 13) and Corowa (February 15).

“Each session offers a presentation, consultation with committee members and an opportunity to leave feedback on the draft plan,” she said.

RMS said it extended the consultation period over the school holidays to give holiday-makers a better opportunity to participate.

Last week the draft plan had received 24 email submissions and 16 via the online map-based consultation tool. Email submissions can be made to MurrayRiverErosion@rms.nsw.gov.au until February 28.