NSW Maritime
Clyde River Boating Plan
PO box J23
COFFS HARBOUR JETTY 2450

Introduction

The Coastwatchers Association welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the NSW Maritime Authority Clyde River Boating Plan. There are a number of issues that will affect the Clyde River as many changes take place in the Batemans Bay area.

As residential development along the foreshores of the Clyde River and Cullendulla Creek increases so will the impacts on the Clyde River Estuary and its foreshores. The escalation in private boat ownership due to proposed additional berths and tourist facilities at the Batemans Bay Marina will also impact on the ecological health and safety of the Clyde River and the amenity of residents and tourists.

Issues of particular concern to Coastwatchers are the effects of noise pollution on humans and aquatic animals, riverbank erosion and wash, the protection of habitat and the ecological health of the river and its estuarine tributaries.

Environment

Noise - The growth in tourism and upgraded walkways with improved outdoor facilities along the river foreshores will encourage more people to use the foreshore precincts. The number of powered craft is also likely to increase as a result of the proposed marina upgrade, impacting on humans and aquatic animals, especially in the lower Clyde.

While one PWC can pose a noise problem for some, when two or more PWC travel together in the confined area under the Princes Highway Bridge the increased noise level becomes a greater nuisance to even more people close to the foreshore, such as diners in waterfront eateries, and a host of other passive activities.

• Recommendation: Stricter regulation of PWC noise adjacent to the Princes Highway Bridge and the river foreshore areas of the Batemans Bay CBD.

Population Growth - An increase in population and more residential development adjacent to the river foreshore is inevitable. The clearing of hillsides for development is likely to increase the level of stormwater and household run-off and pose a greater risk of contamination to the river. Unless these impacts are properly managed they could adversely affect the Clyde River oyster industry and the ecological health of the river.

• Recommendation: Regular monitoring of the river water will be required to ensure that the water quality is maintained, as recommended in the Batemans Bay/Clyde River EMP.

Wash & Erosion - The effects of erosion and wash from speeding watercraft on vulnerable shorelines and oyster rafts are of particular concern in the following locations; Buckenbowra River, Cyne Mallows Creek, Budd Island and Lottas Channel, and Mcleods Creek.

• Recommendation: Adequate NO WASH signage is required at these locations.

Pollution - The dearth of pump-out facilities may mean that some older yachts and houseboats illegally discharge raw effluent into the river compromising the environmental health of the estuary and the all important oyster industry.

Effective policing to ensure compliance is not always possible, especially during holiday periods when waterway activities increase and the demands on Maritime Officers are greater.

Recommendations:

• A further pump-out facility near the Pacific Highway Bridge for use by houseboats and other commercial vessels restricted to the western side of the Princes Highway Bridge.
• The mandatory fitting of holding tanks to older yachts and houseboats.
• Additional Maritime officers required to ensure compliance during peak tourist periods

Cullendulla Creek - The lower Clyde between Surfside and Cullendulla is habitat for many species of birds, such as black swans and pied oystercatchers. The Creek is also an important nursery and fish breeding ground and its ecological health must be adequately protected.

As Cullendulla Creek is now a designated a sanctuary zone within the Batemans Marine Park, Coastwatchers would like to see access by all powered watercraft excluded from the creek, to provide maximum protection and a chance for biodiversity recovery.

• Recommendation: Cullendulla Creek and areas designated sanctuary zones within the Marine Park need to be declared off-limits to PWC and other motorised craft.

User Conflict and Safety

Unofficial boat ramps - The increasing number of unofficial boat launching ramps in use in Clyde Estuary are impacting on other waterway users. Most originated to allow the launching of small tinnies by local fishermen, but are now used more frequently to launch pleasure craft, PWC and larger fishing boats. As well as concern for the safety of swimmers and other passive users, four-wheel drive vehicles used for launching these vessels are causing environmental damage to the foredunes.

• Recommendation: In consultation with Eurobodalla Shire Council this practice should be discouraged and unofficial boat ramps closed to all except for emergency and/or authorised uses.

Moorings - With the proposed upgrade of Batemans Bay marina upgrade there should be an opportunity to remove moorings from the lower Clyde River, or at the very they should be capped at thirty.

• Recommendation: Reduce the number of moorings in the lower Clyde to 30, as more berths are offered in the new marina.

Personal Watercraft - PWC are permitted in the area under and near the Princes Highway Bridge, but some PWC appear to travel above the 10knot speed limit and in breach of the 30 m distance-off from moored vessels and other watercraft and the riverbanks. This presents a safety hazard to other craft.

• Recommendation: PWC not be permitted within 100m either side of the Princes Highway Bridge.

Competing activities - The reduction in commercial fishing as a result of the Marine Park zoning will provide opportunities for ecotourism ventures, such as charter craft, and more passive recreational activities, such as kayaking and canoeing.

Although these activities will have minimal impact on the Clyde River oyster industry, an increase in ski boats and wakeboarding is likely to increase the risk of overturning unprotected oyster racks.

• Recommendation: Ski boats and wake board activities should be confined to a designated area.

Passive waterway use - Kayaking and canoeing are increasing in popularity as a means of keeping fit and enjoying the surrounding environment. With more motorised vessels competing for water space on the river the greater the safety risk to passive users.

The safety aspects of waterway uses need to be better managed within the framework of the Clyde River Boating Plan.

• Recommendation: Special lanes need to be designated lanes for kayaking, canoeing and other small recreational craft to provide greater safety for passive waterway users.

Conclusion:

Coastwatchers has considered the impacts likely to affect the Clyde River environment and the safety of passive users in the future and has recommended possible solutions (see Italics) to resolve issues of concern to them.

We also believe it is essential for the Clyde River Boating Plan to align with the Batemans Bay Clyde River Estuary Management Plan and the Batemans Marine Park Management Plan to ensure consistency in the management of the Clyde River and its estuarine tributaries for existing and future uses.