Environmental Monitoring Outcomes - Water Ski Trial East Basin, Lake Burley Griffin June 2006
On 10 October 2005, the National Capital Authority (NCA) announced it had approved a trial water skiing training area on East Basin, Lake Burley Griffin. The trial is for four months and will begin on 1 November 2005. The trial will be confined to a 370 metre buoyed course with one boat allowed on the water at any one time.
The trial was approved as a controlled activity with restrictions on operational times and location. It is intended to examine the impacts on the lake, its surroundings and other lake users and stakeholders (allowing for seasonal and other site variations).
The trial was based on the proposal received from the ACT Water Skiing Association through the NCA's Lake User Group.
During the consideration of the proposal, NCA consulted with a wide range of lake users, stakeholders, and ACT Government agencies including Environment ACT. The NCA also conducted an assessment of environmental issues relating to the proposal by a group of experts in aquatic ecosystems. This assessment indicated that the trial would have no major negative impact on the lake's environment. It is however recognised that the issues associated with this activity are complex and further site specific assessments will occur during the trial to develop a better understanding of the impact.
Details of the trial:
- The training area is to be located near the Kings Avenue Bridge in the East Basin of Lake Burley Griffin, which is situated away from the wetlands and ACT Hospice
- The trial is for a period of four months from 1 November 2005
- The training area is not for use by the general public and is only for use by members of the ACT Water Skiing Association
- Only one boat under the management of the ACT Water Skiing Association can use the training area. The boat is a specially designed with an inboard motor which produces a low wake.
- Training is only permitted for a maximum of four hours per day on weekdays with two weekend days permitted per month. Training cannot commence before 8.30am.
- No refuelling is permitted on the lake or shoreline.
During the trial, a range of environmental monitoring was undertaken and the environmental monitoring outcomes report was developed.
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