LAKE Lonsdale Action Group is calling on both the Coalition Government and Labor Opposition to publicly state their policy for recreational water in the Grampians region in the lead up to the state election.
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President Ray Howard said the current Operational Rules set by Water Minister Peter Walsh were costing communities such as Stawell millions of dollars annually.
He said this was due to the current boating rules that are in place for Lake Bellfield and also operational rules for both Lake Lonsdale and Toolondo Reservoir.
Mr Howard said his group wanted to see powered motor boating permitted on Lake Bellfield and a commitment given to maintain sufficient water in Lake Lonsdale for recreational purposes. At present only boats fitted with an electric motor are permitted on Bellfield.
"These current restrictions need to be changed to allow boating with a powered motor (even restricted as at Lake Wartook) to operate on Lake Bellfield and to retain sufficient water in lakes Lonsdale and Toolondo for economic, recreational and tourist purposes," Mr Howard said.
"The lack of a recreational policy is costing local communities millions of much needed dollars annually."
Mr Howard said a survey of Lake Fyans by Linqage International in 2002, when the lake was holding only 7000 megalitres out of a capacity of 21,000ML owing to the drought conditions, found that input to the regional economy was $4.095 million annually. He said this equates to a direct and indirect input of $12 million.
"A follow up survey was conducted in 2011 after the operational rules for the lake was revised to keep the lake as full as practical throughout the year to a maximum of 18,460 ML," Mr Howard said.
"As a result there has been a significant increase in the recreational use of the lake.
"The annual regional economic input from recreational pursuits in 2011 has risen to a total direct economic input of $7.776 million. The employment generated by that economic input is 94.8 full-time equivalent jobs, which equate to a direct and indirect input in excess of $23.3 million annually.
"The significant economic and recreational benefits for the region are evident. The increase has resulted in an additional contribution of $3.68 million annually to the regional economy and this demonstrates the importance of recreational water to our regional economies as well as social and recreational benefits."
Mr Howard said the current operational rules need to be changed to enable local communities to benefit from recreational water.
"Lakes Lonsdale and Toolondo need to be recognised as the premier lakes in the Grampians region," he said.
"The current operating rules, denying water for tourism and recreational purposes, are costing local communities millions of dollars annually. As indicated by the Lake Fyans survey, water levels in our lake equate to millions of dollars in economic and recreational benefits annually.
"Both lakes Lonsdale and Toolondo must be guaranteed enough water to benefit our local communities, with consideration to extreme drought conditions.
"Local communities have all contributed economically to the construction of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, but are not getting any economic benefit from it.
It is time that community economic and recreational water benefits are taken into account with the operating rules that apply to our lakes.
"Our communities deserve no less."