News

MPs to fight Murray River boating ban

Monday 13 November 2017

The impact of a proposed wake boating ban trial on the Murray River will be raised by Nationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy and Liberals Member for Benambra Bill Tilley with the NSW Maritime Minister.

Mr McCurdy and Mr Tilley have secured a meeting with Minister Melinda Pavey to urgently discuss a trial ban on wake boarding and wake surfing between Bundalong and Corowa on the Murray River which is set to take effect from Easter 2018.

Mr McCurdy said the trial, being implemented by NSW Roads and Maritime Services, would be disastrous for the area.

“This ban will have a significant economic impact on our Murray River communities,” Mr McCurdy said.

“Banning wake boats is only the beginning, before we know it there will be no boats and no recreational use of the river permitted which will kill tourism in our region.

“Some 98 per cent of recreational Murray River users are Victorians who will be prohibited from entering the area from Bundalong to Corowa.”

Mr McCurdy said the claim that the trial was to address erosion in the river that appeared to be caused by boat wash was based on false advice as much of the erosion occurred due to the rise and fall of river levels.

Mr Tilley said he was looking forward to highlighting his concerns to the Minister.

“We have had a constructive meeting with the boating industry who fear this is the thin edge of the wedge, has been decided with little consultation and affects more Victorians than it does those across the river who are making this call,” he said.

“For many Victorians, summer is an annual pilgrimage to the Murray where they have invested in lifelong friends, the industry and our economy.

“Along with my colleague Tim McCurdy, we will be urging the Minister to reconsider this decision but we can’t do it alone – people in our communities can’t afford to sit on their hands and let this happen, you need to speak out, write letters, send emails and make phone calls to demonstrate how you feel.”

Mr McCurdy and Mr Tilley will meet with Minister Pavey in Sydney on 23 November.