Lake Illawarra included in week-long jet ski crackdown
NSW Maritime has included Lake Illawarra in a statewide blitz to ensure safety is prioritised on our waterways
After months of debate over whether Lake Illawarra is the right location for a jet ski hire tour business, NSW Maritime has included the lake in a statewide blitz to ensure safety is prioritised on our waterways.
A joint compliance crackdown by Maritime and the NSW Police Marine Area Command, the ‘Cool Your Jets’ campaign is focused on reducing risky behaviour and keeping waterways safe for everyone.
Last weekend NSW Maritime's boating safety officers carried out nearly 2,200 vehicle safety checks, including 753 on jet skis.
Lake Illawarra was included in the patrols together with Jervis Bay, Botany Bay, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the Murray River.
Right now NSW Maritime is also conducting a thorough review of recreational water use on Lake Illawarra to determine if an application by Sydney-based Play Hard Jet Ski Hire should be permitted to run group tours on a 16km circuit of the lake. That review is expected to be completed early this year.
Play Hard Jet Ski Hire owner Malcolm Barry has said he was encouraged to relocate to Lake Illawarra by NSW Maritime because his Sydney operation was located in the busy Georges River and Botany Bay.
The weekend crackdown revealed that those locations are among the worst for offences.
The top 10 locations for offences were Lake Macquarie (41), Georges River (40), Port Hacking (25), Brisbane Waters (17), Sussex Inlet and St George’s Basin (16), followed by Jervis Bay (15), Mulwala (11), Port Stephens (10) and Albury (10). While Lake Illawarra didn’t make the top 10, Maritime education officers engaged with a number of riders here.
NSW Maritime say the growth in popularity of jet skis has meant there's a need for extra vigilance. With more than 92,000 riders now licensed in NSW, that’s a 23 per cent increase in five years.
NSW Maritime Principal Manager and Operation Cool Your Jets Coordinator, Sonia McKay, says every effort is being made to detect risky or dangerous behaviour. CCTV cameras have been installed at several strategic locations, including Brighton Le Sands, one of the worst hot spots.
“These machines are powerful and fast. We want people to enjoy our amazing waterways, but that means respecting the rules and looking out for others,” Sonia said.
“Our officers are out 365 days a year and repeat offenders will face tougher consequences because reckless riding puts lives at risk.”
There have been 11 serious incidents involving jet skis in NSW over the past 12 months, including one fatality.
The proposal to allow a jet ski hire business on Lake Illawarra was met with strong opposition by other recreational users of the lake and birdwatchers.
While the proposal was supported by Wollongong City Council and the majority of its independent planning panel, opponents said there was no proper consideration given for the impact on the water. Council staff confirmed their primary interest in the application was for “land-based activities".
