Calls to reduce boat wash on Tweed River

By Jonathon Howard

CONDONG CANE farmer Matthew Shoobridge says the Tweed River has become a “high speed ski and wakeboard park for speed boats and Queenslanders” and he’s concerned without action the river’s health will continue to erode.

Mr Shoobridge said many parts of the Gold Coast have banned or regulated high-wash water sports, prompting many speed boat owners to opt for the Tweed River instead.

Mr Shoobridge lives on the riverbank opposite the Condong Sugar Mill, and for the past four years has watched the river gradually erode due to floods and high-wash water sports. He now believes the river is being “mistreated by some users”, who he says “may not understand their impact on the soft alluvial riverbank or the future health of the river”.

“NSW Maritime needs to be empowered to put speed limits in and rules that prevent high-impact wash occurring in areas of unprotected riverbank which do not have rock walls,” he told The Weekly.

Mr Shoobridge has questioned why the NSW Government is allowing river users to “damage the riverbank, pollute the water and wash away our private land”, when these practices are more regulated in Queensland, where they have clear guidelines.

“I have spoken to local maritime police, river safety officers and Tweed Shire Council team members, and they all acknowledge the issues, but their hands are tied due to a lack of legislation and funding to prevent this abuse of the river and riverbank health,” he said.

“I am not against people enjoying the river, but this select group of users make it impossible for others to enjoy the river for kayaking, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding and rowing.

“These low-wash activities bring far more economic benefits to the region and do not degrade the river.

“The only economic benefit to the high-impact sports is petrol purchases, in my opinion.”

Mr Shoobridge said the issues do not end with high-wash activities.

He’s witnessed visitors using the river as a party zone and worse.

“I note that in Condong we have had reports of people defecating in backyards on the weekend due to these people using the Condong boat ramp area as a weekend party zone and there are no toilets,” he said.

“Unprotected areas of the Tweed River should not be used as a high-impact water sport park.

“Our section of the riverbank needs funding for revetment rock and revegetation.

“I appreciate the community has many issues, I myself am still dealing with flood recovery of our house and farm, having this third-party damage occurring is adding insult to injury.”

Murwillumbah Rowing Club president Roland Jahnke said he understands Mr Shoobridge’s concerns.

“We want to see the benefit of the pristine Tweed River shared with everyone, and that includes maintaining the river environment to the joy and benefit of all river users,” Mr Jahnke said.

“A part of this is minimising highwash activities on the Tweed River.”

Mr Jahnke said he appreciates those who do recognise the river’s sensitivity and do already slow down for passive river users.

Dragons Abreast Wollumbin president Anne Bowden said she agrees with Mr Shoobridge.

“There certainly has been damage to the riverbanks due to high-speed wash,” she said.

“We would support any measure that would slow these boats down and prevent further river erosion.”

Ms Bowden said there are already limited areas where jet skis and jet boats can undertake these activities.

“It just so happens that we use the river in the same location for dragon boat practice and racing,” she said.

“We support the Council in their efforts to limit these high-speed watercraft to prevent the impact to the riverbanks.

“The damage to the riverbank is enormous and has to be addressed and discussed.”

Cr Nola Firth said Council’s Tweed River Management Plan recommended further areas of the river be protected from erosion by high-powered boats and towing.

“Unfortunately this was not taken up by NSW Maritime,” she said.

“Effective riverbank management ensures protection of the integrity of our riverbanks, prevention of erosion, improved water quality, restoration of our riparian vegetation and maintenance of a fish and aquatic plant-friendly environment.

“We definitely need a river rather than an engineered gutter and it is possible to achieve the required protections by using some rock and fish hotel areas, as well as planting of buffers (wide enough to be effective) of riverbank stabilising, water cleansing riparian vegetation,” she said.

“With regard to resourcing, while much buffer planting can be done immediately by riverfront owners, as a Council we have also written to the state government asking for automatic inclusion in post-flood restoration funding of river restoration — not just road restoration.”

Read The Transport For Nsw Response

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said it is “aware of the concerns raised by Mr Shoobridge”.

“We have installed buoys along an 800-metre stretch of the river to assist with keeping vessels away from the bank in order to minimise wash,” the spokesperson said.

“Maritime is monitoring vessel activity in the area around Condong.

“We are investigating posting relevant signage to educate boaters in the area.”

Read the full response from Tweed River Ski Club on page 11.

YOUR THOUGHTS: Do you believe the Tweed River needs speed limits to prevent erosion? The Weekly would like to hear your thoughts both for and against. Please send your views to the editor via email: editor@theweekly.net.au