Authorities have been encouraged to introduce a controversial wake boat restriction on a Murray River section as the consultation period enters its final weeks.
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Without data you are only swayed by self-interested parties, from both sides
- Online feedback
Several recent online comments about the draft erosion management plan (Corowa to Ovens junction) have called for a ban on wake boating, although a petition opposing such a move has gathered more than 7700 signatures.
Community information sessions will be held in Yarrawonga on Tuesday and Corowa on Thursday to discuss the divisive issue further, with NSW Roads and Maritime Services collecting feedback until February 28.
David, who commented via the interactive tool, said neither owning a wake boat nor being a fisherman made anyone “an instant expert on river ecology”.
“Go ahead with the plan, capture and analyse the data and get a qualified expert to make recommendations according to what is best for the river,” he said.
“That is the only sensible thing to do.
“Without data, you are only swayed by self-interested parties, from both sides.”
Peter said the supposed economic benefits brought by wake boat users were more than offset by the damage the activity caused.
“A wake ban on the entire length of the river would be the best environmental option,” he said.
More than 100 people filled the first community information session held in Bundalong last month, which heard the present uncertainty had already affected visitors to the popular wakeboarding site.
The Save Boating on the Murray River committee opposes any ban and has put forward an alternative plan that focuses on river safety.
Email submissions can be made to MurrayRiverErosion@rms.nsw.gov.au.