A packed community meeting in Bundalong last night heard of caravan sites being given up, property plans deferred and visitors intending not to return because of uncertainty surrounding proposed restrictions on some wake boat activities.
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The anecdotes came from the crowd of more than 100 people who filled every seat, stood around all four walls and spilled out on to the verandah at Bundalong Community Centre.
Called by NSW Roads and Maritime Services and Murray Darling Basin Authority, the information session discussed the Murray River draft erosion management plan, now out for public consultation. A quick show of hands indicated the audience comprised about 60 per cent local people and 40 per cent visitors, although concerns were expressed the meeting should have been scheduled earlier in January to catch more of the latter.
After presentations by RMS and MDBA representatives, an extended question time raised issues such as the exact definition of wake enhancement, whether a trial ban would lead on to further restrictions and the implications on river safety.
RMS general manager operation policy and performance David Hunter said only the draft plan, no other, was being considered.
“The plan between south Corowa and the junction with the Ovens River is the only plan to manage erosion through boating restrictions that we have on the table,” he said. “This is the only area that we have focused on at the moment.”
His use of “at the moment” was met with cynicism while a later comment that previous consultation had indicated the economic impact of a trial would be “negligible” was strongly rejected.
Melbourne visitor Rob Shearer, who’s had a house nearby for 15 years, estimated he would spend about $200 a day locally.
“After seeing what’s gone on here tonight, I’m ringing an estate agent and I’m out of here,” he said. “And that’s the impact that this town’s going to have because these blokes here are putting it all back on boat users.”
Mr Shearer’s comments received some applause, as did other speakers of varied opinions, such as emphasising safety, suggesting zones or disputing boating’s effect on erosion.
Mr Hunter told the crowd all input into the plan would be considered and said a clearer definition of the proposed restrictions would be published online soon.
“If we put something in place – and it may well be that we don’t, listening to some of the comments here tonight that’s still an option on the table ... our plan is that it will be put in place as a trial and if we don’t get it right, we will change it.”
