Page 4625 - Week 15 - Thursday, 21 November 1991
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MR WOOD: Yes, we know that. The proposed amendments are part of a larger review undertaken on a variety of management issues relating to the territorial lakes. Assembly members are most likely aware of a recent government decision to allow electrically and steam powered boats on our lakes. This initiative has been welcomed by both the ACT Sport and Recreational Fishing Council and the ACT Traditional Boat Squadron, as it allows better access for fishing and other recreational activities and has the potential of increasing tourism to the ACT.
Steamboats and electrically powered boats are now allowed on Lake Ginninderra and Lake Tuggeranong under a free yearly permit system and are restricted to a maximum speed of three knots for safety and environmental reasons. As the management agency responsible for Lake Burley Griffin, this Government has made recommendations to the Commonwealth to allow these boats on Lake Burley Griffin.
The legislation being introduced today proposes a range of amendments to the existing Lakes Act. It is considered appropriate by this Government to recoup some of the costs associated with administering a permit scheme that regulates the use of powerboats in the Molonglo Reach water-ski area. Support for the current management strategies and the application of a permit fee would not generally affect whether or not people would use the area.
Other proposed amendments to the Act could be viewed merely as "housekeeping" strategies. There is a proposal to delete specific references to Lake Burley Griffin in the Act since that lake is controlled under Commonwealth legislation. It is also proposed to remove the duplication in the issue of water-ski permits when water-skiing is already controlled through the issue of powerboat permits. Changes are also being proposed to section 38 to correct existing misprinted subsection sequences. Further amendments are proposed to ensure that the wording of the Lakes Act 1976 complies with the requirements to be gender neutral.
The boating safety issues relating to lighting raised on behalf of the Canberra Yacht Club by the Chief Minister, when Leader of the Opposition, are also finally being addressed. I am sorry that Ms Follett is not in the chamber today to become aware of that. These amendments will bring the ACT into line with the States and will satisfy international boating regulations. The amendments will ensure that safety of all lake users is improved.
The proposed amendments to appeal rights contained in this Bill are in line with the principle adopted by the Administrative Review Council. These amendments provide for appeals against the conditional authorisation or the refusal to authorise the use of a powerboat, the anchoring of a buoy, the erecting of a wharf or jetty, the mooring of a boat or the use of a hovercraft on territorial waters.
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