On some parts of the Murray River, boats have been hitting logs and sandbars, posing dangers to both residents and tourists alike.
Federation Council Deputy Mayor Shaun Whitechurch has taken a leading role in addressing the issue, engaging with various communities, including those downstream. He is advocating for a better understanding with water management authorities during tourism periods to protect the local economies.
The matter was brought up during council’s monthly meeting in Corowa last week during the Mayoral Minute.
Over the holiday period Mulwala Water Ski Club host ski shows which require the river, and subsequently Lake Mulwala, to be sitting at a level that is safe for the team to perform.
Mulwala Water Ski Club CEO Peter Duncan said luckily no ski shows have had to be cancelled over the holiday period but there have been some near misses and worries when the water has been lowered.
“If the levels could be higher, when the authorities have to drop the lake and river for irrigation there would not be any issues,” Mr Duncan said.
“Unfortunately, irrigation can cause a problem for the water authorities as it can be hit and miss which means the water level is a problem.
“Speaking to the Murray Darling Basin Authority, they said because this is a very unusual season in terms of rainfall, they have not had to release as much water from the Hume Dam, therefore creating the low level at Corowa.
“At Yarrawonga we are up the littlest bit.
“They have had more water downstream which they have been able to flow into the Murray downstream which creates a problem at Corowa.
“It all depends on the weather and irrigation. If more water is required for irrigation, which we understand, then our levels drop.
“Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) are always proactive in contacting us at the ski club to let us know what is happening, explain why they drop the levels and what that may do to skiing in the lake.
“If they know its going to be low for the next couple of weeks, they’ll ring and tell me.
“Normally if I think it’s getting too low, I will ring the MDBA as it takes four days for the water from Lake Hume to get down here.
“Luckily this season we have not had to cancel any ski shows so far which has been great, but we have had some near misses near the low end.
“In terms of tourists we also did not have the same issues as Corowa with visitors leaving shortly after arriving due to low levels, but we have had some feedback made about the water.
“Going forward, it would be ideal for us for it to be running a bit higher all the time so when they do get the irrigation demand, it will come down to 124.7 because that is what we require it at to run the ski shows and for people out on the lake to ski.
“As of last Friday, Lake Mulwala was 124.8. If it had of been lower we would have been in strife.”
Mulwala Water Ski Club Ski Co-ordinator Pete O’Neill said whilst low water levels haven’t caused any catastrophic damage or injury, several water users have had issues with what lies under the surface that they usually would not have any concerns with.
“Years ago the lake used to be kept higher and they (water authorities) lowered it with the excuse of evaporation. Because when it is dropped it drops about 2 inches, if it was kept even an inch/ 5cms higher than the normal level it wouldn’t be a big deal,” Mr O’Neill said.
“We have had feedback from skiers that there is more than average skiers hitting props down the river towards Bundalong.
“Because the water authorities keep it on the bare minimum most of the time, when somebody requires irrigation or the likes it really hurts the lake.
“It also lowers the water levels in Bundalong which creates hotter water temps, which actually increases the evaporation rate.
“It is smarter to keep the lake slightly higher because you have deeper water which has lower evaporation.
“For a long time the sentiment has been that we should run it at 5 – 10cm higher as an average. It doesn’t affect any of the docks or boat ramps, it doesn’t really cause any issues.
“It just means when the lake does happen to drop, it drops to a level that doesn’t starting wreaking propellers and shafts.”
Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke said it was not only an issue affecting Federation Council but other areas downstream of the Murray including Tocumwal and Barooga.
“The tourism was basically a non-event,” Mayor Bourke said.
“People were arriving with their boats and leaving the next day because there was no opportunity.”
Cr Whitechurch described the issue as a matter of urgency.
“This has been an ongoing issue for this shire and a lot of the shires between Lake Hume and Mulwala and even further downstream,” he said.
“A couple of weeks ago the river hit its lowest point in the last 12 months. People were going home.
“But it’s not just here, it’s an issue right along the river. Different areas have been gutted by people going home when it should be a golden time to make money for their businesses.”
Cr Whitechurch also highlighted the danger in the river when the water is low.
“Speedboats, jet skis, and even the local rowing club (in Corowa) have had issues,” he said.
“Rowers have had oars hit the bottom or logs with the river being only 1.4m deep.”
Cr Whitechurch said he was aware it had been brought up with the MDBA before.
“As a shire, we owe the residents, businesses, and the people travelling here to be active on the issue.”
Cr Whitechurch then moved a motion to convene a meeting with the governing body of the MDBA to formulate a (Memorandum of Understanding) MOU that would generate satisfactory river between Lake Hume and Mulwala from Boxing Day to Australia Day and other seasonal days as required.
Cr Whitechurch received unanimous support from his councillors.
At last week’s meeting, following the passing of Cr Whitechurch’s motion, Mayor Bourke said a meeting with RAMJO in February would be an ideal opportunity to meet with the MDBA.
