The Beagle
May 9, 2018
Amendment to the existing speed limit for powered vessel operations on Tuross Lake in the vicinity of Horse Island and Sandy Point
The Maritime Division of Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has reviewed existing waterway management arrangements in Tuross Lake and have determined that amendments are necessary in the section of the Lake near Horse Island and Sandy Point (locally known as ‘the Boat Shed’ ).
RMS considers Tuross Lake to be a ‘shared use zone’ as it is used by a variety of recreational vessels (including kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders) and commercial vessels, with varying usage depending on seasonal influences.
The section of Tuross Lake from approximately 320 metres upstream of Sandy Point downstream to the Lakes confluence with the Tasman Sea (which includes the Boat Shed precinct) has been subject to an eight knot speed limit.
In the Boat Shed precinct, which includes modified shoreline with dwellings and infrastructure, it has been identified that the combination of vessel operation, tidal and river flow, and other environmental elements such as wind, can result in the creation of magnified and unfavourable wave action. The narrow width of the channel also means there’s less space for wave energy to dissipate before interacting with the shoreline and other vessels. The primary concerns of RMS are the risk to waterway user safety, and waterside land infrastructure and user amenity, as a result of vessel operations.
Accordingly RMS has amended the Boat Shed section to a 4 knot and No Wash zone with the object of minimising any adverse impact of vessel operations on waterway users and the adjoining waterside land.
The length of the amended zone is approximately 320 metres, with no modification of the existing speed zone borders proposed. The impact to vessel journey time is considered to be minimal given the length of the amended section.