New pontoons are offering boating enthusiasts and anglers safer and more secure access to some of Tasmania’s favourite recreational and angling lakes.

The three new pontoons at Jonah Bay (Arthurs Lake) and Brandum Bay (Great Lake) in Tasmania’s central highlands and at Lake Rosebery (Tullah) in Tasmania’s west are part of joint efforts by Hydro Tasmania and Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) to improve the safety and functionality of boating infrastructure at popular inland lakes.

Hydro Tasmania is Australia’s largest water manager, and collaborates with MAST to accommodate the needs of recreational water users and ensure safe public access to Tasmanian lakes and waterways.

“We recognise that the water and lakes influenced by our hydro generation activities are also important to recreational users for kayaking, angling and boating, and we are proud to support recreational activities on Tasmania’s waterways and lakes,” said Jesse Clark, Hydro Tasmania’s Manager of Production and Maintenance.

“We try to accommodate complementary uses of the water that we manage in a workable balance with Tasmania’s electricity generation needs.”

Following public submissions to the MAST Recreational Boating Fund suggesting that safety and access be improved at these sites, the MAST Board approved funding for the new pontoons. Hydro Tasmania contributed funding, and support for planning and environmental approvals.

Peter Hopkins, MAST’s General Manager Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities, said the new pontoons enhance safety, access and amenity for all passive water-based recreation at these sites.

“Previously access was via a ramp, and anglers had to tie boats to trees or leave them unattended while they parked their trailers,” Mr Hopkins said.

“They also had to contend with potentially slippery conditions climbing in and out of boats. The new pontoons provide safer boat access, as well as a secure point to tie up boats.”

The placement of the pontoons is part of an ongoing commitment by Hydro Tasmania and Marine and Safety Tasmania to maintain boating infrastructure on inland lakes.

On Great Lake, Brandum Bay boat ramp is useable between full supply level and approximately 1023.5 m (ramps at Boundary Bay and Mackersey Head are accessible at lower lake levels of approximately 1020m).  On Arthurs Lake, the Jonah Bay ramp is useable between full supply level and approximately 949.5 m (ramps located at the dam wall and Pumphouse Bay are accessible at lower lake levels of approximately 947m).

The Inland Fisheries Service annual angling surveys indicate that Arthurs Lake and Great Lake are in the top 10 of Tasmania’s most popular still-water fisheries. Lake Rosebery is popular for swimming, kayaking and water-skiing, and is growing in popularity as an angling destination. More detailed information on water management, including current lake levels, can be found at http://www.hydro.com.au/water

The new pontoons are part of improvements to safety and access to inland waterways, including a major upgrade at Bradys Lake (in Tasmania’s central highlands) that improved boating access and repaired the pedestrian bridge access across the kayaking course. Navigation lights have also been installed to improve the safety of 30 of Tasmania’s most popular fishing spots.

ENDS

Released by Samantha Meyer (03) 6230 5746.