New waterway rules for Lake Fyans have been approved by Transport Safety Victoria.
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These new rules will come into force this summer.
Northern Grampians Shire Councillor, Wayne Rice said the new rules aim to improve the overall safety and useability of the precinct.
“Council consulted extensively in 2013 and 2014 with users of the lake and the general public,” Cr Rice said.
“From this, we formed an advisory group which, in conjunction with Transport Safety Victoria, assisted us to come up with the new rules for Lake Fyans.
“Council will be putting up new signage at Lake Fyans and Walkers Lake thanks to funding from the state government, as well as buoys at Lake Fyans to clearly designate the areas formed under the new rules.”
Highlights of the new rules include:
- Introduction of a 5 knot speed limit around the perimeter of the lake to address safety issues associated with significant vegetation regrowth around the perimeter of the waterway.
- Establishment of two vessel-prohibited areas for the purpose of swimming.
- Establishment of a special purpose zone near the southern camping ground for activities such as water skiing, governed by specific rules
Lake Fyans is impacted by variable water levels regardless as to whether drought conditions exist. The proposed rule establishes a water level of 1.5 metres or below which will automatically trigger a five knot speed restriction across the whole lake.
The special purpose zone will be located on the southern side of the lake and the access lanes will be established through an area with some, but limited, trees.
The zone has been created in recognition of historical usage and is designed to enable access through this area whilst also recognising the safety issues of unregulated vessel usage.
The new rules will remove previously existing zones for some areas where vessels were prohibited for the purposes of swimming and the area for windsurfing.
In the case of the windsurfing area significant vegetation regrowth has meant this area is no longer navigable by windsurfers and other wind powered craft.
Lake Lonsdale will continue to operate under its existing rules, while Walkers Lake will be regulated by state Vessel Operating and Zoning (VOZR) rules in Victoria.
Full details of these new waterway rules are available on the council’s website www.ngshire.vic.gov.au
