A 77-year-old Berkeley wildlife rescuer renowned for saving pelicans is among lakeside residents shocked to learn of a new jet ski business wishing to open in time for the spring school holidays.

Last week The Illawarra Flame reported Sydney-based Play Hard Jet Ski Hire Pty Ltd had convinced Wollongong Council staff that their plans to run guided jet ski tours on a 16-kilometre circuit of Lake Illawarra wouldn't create serious problems. 

Despite objections about the impact of the jet skis on bird and marine life and other lake users, nearly three weeks ago the independent Wollongong Local Planning Panel gave its seal of approval. A final decision on whether the jet ski business should be allowed at Lake Illawarra now rests with the NSW Government.

The jet ski business owner plans to establish his tourism enterprise on the lake foreshore at Warrawong, adjacent to the Lake Illawarra Yacht Club. In his original application, the business owner hoped to operate tours of eight jet skis. The panel's approval reduced the number of jet skis to four, and put a two-year time limit on the approval.

The jet skis can be ridden by people aged 12 years and over, with seven-year-olds as passengers. The craft will be speed-limited to 55km/hr. 

Concerns raised over a lack of consultation

Since The Illawarra Flame published news last week that the jet ski business had been approved locally, we have received complaints from the community. Most people who contacted us live near the lake or use the lake for water sports, and had not known about the proposal. Several said they felt cheated that they'd had no opportunity to raise an objection, and so decisions were made without full community consultation.

On Sunday morning The Flame agreed to meet with a small group of concerned citizens, including representatives of the Illawarra Birders and community and sporting groups.

A few minutes after our interviews began, the owner of Play Hard Jet Skis, Malcolm Barry, approached us, saying he'd like to answer people's questions. Attendees had environmental concerns.

Rescuer worries birds will be run over 

A 77-year-old bird-loving resident of Berkeley, Betty Spilsted said she was "gobsmacked" when she first heard the plans for jet ski tours from 8am-5pm, four days a week, had been approved without her knowledge. 

"This is our lake. Why weren't we told? Why weren't we given a chance to put our case?

"I'm absolutely disgusted. I get down to the lake every day to rescue injured birds. I've been doing this for 25 years. I've seen the way these jet skis hoon around and I have no doubt birds are going to get run over," Betty said.

Concerns raised over 20 bird species

Glennis Wellings from Kanahooka, is the environmental officer with the Illawarra Birders group who says they also weren't consulted about the jet ski plans. She shares the concerns about the future of the 20-plus bird species, some which are protected and threatened.

"Sixteen of these species gather their food from the lake by diving under the water. Illawarra Birders are undertaking a monthly survey around Lake Illawarra to record the movement of these fishing birds within the course proposed by the jet ski company. We've established nine survey points that give us a good view across the course," Glennis said.

She said Council agreed that up to 10 tours on the lake each day would mean "constant jet ski movement throughout the day and constant repetitive disturbance to fishing birds". 

"Given the number of birds we see it's hard to imagine how the Hard Play tours could abide by a condition of approval which states should an operator become, or is made aware of the presence of the threatened or protected fauna species within 100 metres of their route activities they are to stop immediately until the animals have relocated. We maintain that it would be impossible to observe fishing birds when travelling at 55km/hr," Glennis said.

"Such continual disturbance to fishing grounds means that the birds will abandon the lake and go elsewhere in search of fishing grounds. What a loss."

Jet ski tours will have 'a cumulative effect'

Another member of Illawarra Birders, Julie Marlow said: "I respect Malcolm's good intentions but I believe he's been badly informed. The consultants he employed relied on this being only a 'temporary impact' on the lake but even Council agreed the regular jet ski trips would have a cumulative effect." 

Illawarra Birders member Andrew Walter has only lived in the region for seven months but says he's concerned at how disruptive the jet skis would be on local bird life. "Birds are an important part of the ecology of the whole lake environment," he said.

Charlie Owen, representing the Primbee Community Group, hopes objections may yet be heard, saying "according to the letter of determination, you have the ability to request a review or appeal to the determination".

Charlie asked what impact the jet ski business might have on existing lake users, such as the canoe club and dragon boats. "Why weren't these other organisations contacted for their thoughts?"

He felt a maximum speed of 55km/hr "seems a bit high for beginners or those without licences" and he shared his safety concerns over the refuelling of the jet skis on land near the yacht club.

Differing views at the neighbourhood forum

Another community group, Neighbourhood Forum 7, which is established to inform Council on issues of importance, was made aware of the jet ski proposal. NF7 Convenor Peter Maywald said his membership had differing views on the development application and so it didn't lodge a formal submission.

"Some believed more commercial activity on the lake would be a good thing," Peter said. "Others were worried about the noise. Jet skis are a polarising activity. There was a view from some that maybe if they were in a guided group under the control of the operator there shouldn't be as many problems."

With "mixed views around the table", NF7 decided to allow individuals to lodge their own submissions on the proposal.

Concerns over how the lake is managed

Annie Marlow, a resident of Berkeley, spent seven years on the Lake Illawarra Management Committee before it was disbanded. She believes the process of how the jet ski hire business has been approved shows a flaw in how the lake is currently being managed.

"No one seems to have total jurisdiction over the lake," Annie said.

At present, Wollongong City Council manages Lake Illawarra in partnership with Shellharbour City Council and the NSW Government. Prior to July 2014, the Lake Illawarra Authority had primary responsibility for managing the lake and most of its assets.

Another local concerned about the lack of consultation during the approval process is Lake Heights resident Gerardo DeLiseo, who enjoys lake views from his home.

"I'm very dubious about this decision. Jet skis are noisy and the noise travels a long way across the water," Gerardo said. It was at this point in the interview that he had to stop as two jet skiers sped past, drowning out our voices. "That's exactly what I mean," he said.

"I'm surprised and disappointed that this has been allowed. I would have thought local people would have been consulted."

Operator hopes he can prove objectors wrong

The proponent, Malcolm Barry, currently runs his business on the Georges River and Botany Bay in Sydney's south. On Sunday, the Mt Warrigal resident told The Flame he hopes he can prove the objectors wrong once he starts operating.

"I came today to provide some information, but they didn't want to hear about it," he said. "All I'm asking is that they stop campaigning against my business with information that isn't true."

Play Hard Jet Ski Hire's owner said he hoped he would receive a final approval soon and be able to start his operation at Warrawong in time for the next school holidays, which begin at the end of this month. He knows he has one final hurdle.

Wollongong MP Paul Scully said he was aware of the jet ski proposal but preferred not to pass comments given the approval process is ongoing.

"Now that a time-limited approval, with condition, has been issued the proponent will need to obtain the necessary additional approvals from Transport for NSW - Maritime before tours of no more than four jet skis at a time can begin," Mr Scully said.