Boats, skis open plan for Wellington Dam
Most of Wellington Dam could be opened to motorised vessels as part of a Department of Transport review of the use of popular South West dams and lakes.
Transport Minister Dean Nalder visited the dam on Friday - coinciding with the start of public comment on DoT's formal review of aquatic use of six dams and lakes in the South West - and said he wanted to develop safe and sustainable management plans.
Activities at Wellington, Glen Mervyn, Stockton Open Cut, Logue Brook and Waroona dams and Lake Towerrinning are being reviewed.
Wellington has a ski area and an area for motorised vessels with a five-knot speed limit - but motorised activity is prohibited in the majority of the dam.
The proposed changes would open up the bigger area to motorised vessels, leaving just small areas close to campgrounds and Wellington Weir as the only spaces closed to motorised vessels.
DoT's assistant general manager of Marine Safety Chris Mather said the review included two main questions - whether personal water craft freestyle driving activities should be permitted at Glen Mervyn and whether the major part of Wellington should be opened to motorised craft.
Collie shire deputy president Glyn Yates said his council was open-minded towards expanded recreational use, plus uses that could economically benefit Collie.
"Our position is that we want to be comprehensively consulted in the process and the Minister was very receptive on Friday and keen to make sure we're involved in the review," he said.
Harvey shire president Tania Jackson said the council did not have a defined position on water skiing in shire dams.
"We'd be thinking if more areas opened up, we would need more resources to manage them, though," she said.
Public feedback can be lodged by May 29 online at www.transport.w a.gov.au/swdamreview.
"If more areas opened up, we would need more resources to manage them, though" - Tania Jackson
