Jet ski opponents welcome delay in Lake Illawarra business approval
A controversial proposal to establish a jet ski hire and tour business on Lake Illawarra has been delayed until towards the end of summer
A controversial proposal to establish a jet ski hire and tour business on Lake Illawarra has been delayed until towards the end of summer.
The decision by Wollongong’s Local Planning Panel to approve the development application in August sparked an outcry and claims the consultation process had been “woeful” with regular lake users and the Illawarra Birders unaware that the plans had been lodged.
Play Hard Jet Ski owner Malcolm Barry wants to relocate his business from Botany Bay to Lake Illawarra, saying it will provide a boost for local tourism.
Objectors fear it will disrupt other recreational water craft that have been operating on the lake for decades. Illawarra Birders say the jet skis travelling on a 16km-loop at 55km/hr will endanger birdlife, including several endangered species.
The objectors claim the approval process in Wollongong was flawed, with the planning panel only focusing on the impact of the jet ski business on land adjacent to the Illawarra Yacht Club at Warrawong, and not on the environmental impact on Lake Illawarra.
“Wollongong City Council’s assessment of the jet ski proposal did not adequately evaluate risks to Lake Illawarra’s ecology and biodiversity,” said Ros Atkins from Illawarra Birders.
“The lake is listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia for its ecological significance, including habitat for threatened and migratory species.
“The proposal should have been referred to the Lake Illawarra Coastal Management Program (CMP) Implementation Group, given its role in overseeing and advising on CMP actions. According to Council’s website, ‘the CMP is a long-term strategy for the coordinated management of the lake. It includes a set of actions to reduce threats to the lake.’
“This being the case the Lake Illawarra CMP Implementation Group, made up of community, Aboriginal and scientific experts, together with local and state government representatives, should have been the first to be notified and asked for their advice on the potential impact of a highly disruptive jet ski hire business on a waterway which has been referred to by Council as fragile.”
Play Hard Jet Ski owner Malcolm Barry had hoped to get his business operating in September.
In a letter to Council, Ros said Council didn’t fulfil its responsibilities by failing to consider the on-water impacts of the proposed jet ski operations. She has called on Council to withdraw the approval and to undertake “a proper and independent environmental assessment of the proposal before the DA is considered again”.
Council has said it had no ability to reverse the decision already made.
The application now sits with NSW Maritime, the organisation which suggested Play Hard Jet Skis should consider relocating to Lake Illawarra.
At the time of the local planning approval in mid August, owner Malcolm Barry said he hoped to start his operations in time for the September school holidays.
L to R: Environmental scientist Gleniss Wellings; the Illawarra Birders at Lake Illawarra. Photos: Jeremy Lasek
NSW Maritime has received numerous submissions from jet ski objectors, including Gleniss Wellings, an environmental scientist, also from Illawarra Birders.
She said a recent bird survey carried out on Lake Illawarra on Saturday, 25 October counted 475 birds, consisting of 19 species, including 196 black swans.
“It is highly unlikely you would see this number and variety of birds in such a confined area anywhere along the coast under Maritime jurisdiction,” Gleniss said.
In her submission to NSW Maritime, Ros Atkins highlighted what she said were serious safety concerns should the jet ski business receive final approval.
She said jet ski riders faced dangers given Lake Illawarra was so shallow with an average depth of just two metres.
Illawarra Birder Ros Atkins says Lake Illawarra is shallow and will be dangerous for jet ski riders. At right: Gleniss Wellings said a one-day bird count listed 19 different species. Photos: Jeremy Lasek
“The depth is unpredictable, even well offshore, posing collision risks for jet ski riders,” Ros said.
“Seagrass beds and macro algae mats which flourish in shallow zones can entangle jet ski intakes or obscure hazards.
“Riders risk striking submerged or partially submerged objects, sandbanks, or seagrass beds, especially at high speed.
“These hazards underscore the need for rigorous navigational safety assessment under NSW Maritime’s criteria.”
Ros also highlighted the dangers for other low-profile craft using Lake Illawarra, including dragon boats, canoes, kayaks and paddle boards.
“Jet ski waves can destabilise or capsize these non-motorised vessels and elderly paddlers and young sailors are particularly vulnerable to unpredictable or reckless jet ski behaviour.”
Ros welcomed the news late last week that NSW Maritime had listened to the concerns raised and paused the approval process for the Play Hard Jet Ski application to allow for a more thorough assessment.
In a statement, Maritime said it, “has initiated a review of recreational waterway usage on Lake Illawarra in response to concerns raised by the local community about the proponent’s proposal. The review will be conducted over a two-month period during the current boating season. Once the review has been completed NSW Maritime will make a decision on the proponent’s application.”
Transport for NSW Maritime won’t be undertaking community consultation for this review. The current process is specifically aimed at assessing current recreational and commercial activity on Lake Illawarra.
