Kiewa River Access

Attn:  Mr Peter O'Dwyer
          Kiewa River Streamflow Management Plan
          C/- Goulburn Murray Water
          PO Box 165 Tatura Victoria 3616

From: Mr Andrew Barnes
           PO Box 97 Yackandandah Victoria 3749
           Tel: 02 6027 0505
           Email: photobarnes@hotmail.com

1. Application

a. That the Kiewa River Management Plan recognise that the Kiewa River and its tributaries are of national importance to canoeists, kayakers and rafters (generally referred to as paddlers or river users).

b. That flows of water released into the Kiewa River and tributaries be appropriate for utilisation by canoeists, kayakers and rafters.

2. Introduction

a. I have been an outdoor pursuits instructor and adventure photojournalist for 20 years and have experienced rivers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

b. Although this submission is presented independently, I consider my opinions and objectives to be similar to those held by many recreational and professional paddlers. Many of those people utilise natural flowing and dam release rivers for both personal enjoyment and income.

c. It is time for canoeists, kayakers and rafters to be represented and to participate in the consultative process by which flows from dams are decided. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss issues relating to further investigations and information sharing, and the development and formalising of an ongoing relationship between the Kiewa River Management Authority and the broader river user community.

d. The use of public waters for private profit must be addressed in relation to the legal rights of recreational users who should be recompensed through mitigation.

e. This submission has been prepared on a voluntary basis.

3. Summary of current flows from a canoeing, kayaking and rafting     perspective.

a. Water released into the East Kiewa River, West Kiewa River and Kiewa River (all generally referred to as the Kiewa River) is unpredictable and river flow information is difficult to obtain.

b. Paddling any section of the mentioned rivers is dangerous due to sudden rises and falls in levels.

c. The result of a and b has been that the Kiewa River and it's tributaries have become generally unusable by canoeists, kayakers and rafters.

d. These rivers are legitimate sources of recreational river use and are being denied to the public for those activities.

4. History.

a. To date, perhaps with the exception of the Franklin River decision, recreational users of rivers have lacked a voice in the damming, destruction, flow and use of rivers in Australia. Specifically, the Kiewa River was dammed for the purpose of producing hydro electric power without consultation with river users.

b. Recreational canoeists, kayakers and rafters have been paddling the rivers of Australia for more than half a century.

c. The industry revolving around canoeing, kayaking and rafting employs thousands of people.

d. River users have traditionally been environmentalists and have had little impact on the environment.

5. Kiewa River Environment.

a. Prior to the construction of the Rocky Valley Storage and McKay Creek Power Station there existed numerous sections of river where natural flow combined with scenery, gradient and white water features created a significant and intrinsically valuable resource for kayakers, rafters and canoeists. Today, the Kiewa River could still have significant value for paddlers. In fact, given the right flows, the Kiewa River would be considered by paddlers to be nationally and internationally outstanding.

b. The specific sections of the Kiewa River that hold value for the kayaking, canoeing and rafting community are:

1. Tower Access Track to Falls Creek road bridge (expert whitewater paddling).
2. Falls Creek road bridge to Lake Guy (elite whitewater paddling).
3. Lake Guy to Mt Beauty regulating pondage (intermediate to elite whitewater paddling).
4. Mt Beauty regulating pondage to Tawonga Caravan Park (beginner to intermediate whitewater paddling).
5. 5. Tawonga Caravan Park to Mongans Bridge (beginner to intermediate whitewater paddling).

c. This submission in support of specific flow consents is an opportunity to redress the ongoing adverse effects for canoeists, kayakers and rafters of past and present river flows.

d. I acknowledge that flow releases are, to a certain extent, subject to the "on demand" power market, and that this affects the day to day, hour to hour flows down the river. However this has meant that even when flows are at a level offering a recreational resource, they are subject to sudden changes up and down, significantly detracting from the quality, character and safety of the white water features and the overall experience.

e. As a result of this practice there has been a noticeable adverse effect on the recreational resource once found naturally on the Kiewa River and tributaries

f. As a result of ongoing negotiation and consultation between the river user community and Kiewa River Management a greater understanding of the dilemmas facing each party could be gained. Through this process Kiewa River Management could gain an understanding of how significant the Kiewa River and tributaries are to the paddling community of Australia.

g. It is possible, through negotiated flows, to adequately mitigate the adverse effects of the ongoing operation of the McKay Creek Power Station, on the white water recreational resource that remains.

6. Relationship and agreement between Kiewa River Management and     river users.

a. In general terms, I am requesting the provision of appropriate river flows (to be negotiated) so all sections of the Kiewa River and it's tributaries can be utilised by recreational, elite and extreme river paddlers. These flows would be provided on specific dates and times - but more importantly on an ongoing basis whenever possible.

b. Ongoing flows would be utilised by a variety of organisations, such as:

1. School groups,
2. Commercial organisations,
3. Canoe clubs,
4. Multisport clubs,
5. Informal slalom training
6. Informal rodeo training.

c. In consultation with appropriate representatives, set flows on agreed dates would also subsequently be requested for a variety of recreational and competitive events for the various river use disciplines, including events such as:

1. Canoe Club trips (focusing on instruction and recreation)
2. White water rodeo competition
3. Slalom training and competition
4. Whitewater paddling for elite and expert kayakers
5. Commercial instruction courses (both white water kayaking and multisport)
6. Assessments relating to various kayaking and multisport qualifications.

d. It is important that the provision of accurate, up to date, flow information be reliably and freely available. The provision of accurate, up to date, flow information is not only important for safety reasons, it is also an appropriate aspect of mitigation, to ensure that when the river is at an ideal level for kayaking, it can be utilised to its full potential.

7. Specific Flows

a. Released flows should never be changed so abruptly as to endanger river users on any section of the river.

b. Below the Mt Beauty spillway, flows to be generally held at an agreed minimum level on an ongoing basis.

c. With the exception of periods of time where natural rainfall significantly changes the river level or holding capacity of the Mt Beauty Regulating Pondage, river flow below the Mt Beauty Pondage not to be above an agreed safe maximum.

d. For elite, expert and intermediate to elite paddlers who would utilise sections from the Tower Access Track downstream to Mt Beauty, provide 30 days per year of requested flows on agreed dates.

e. For national and international events provide 10 days per year of requested flows.

f. Negotiated flows on specific days for national and international events and elite and expert paddling should be for a minimum duration of 8 hours per day.

g. The requested flows for national and international events and elite and expert paddling should be maintained at a reasonably consistent flow, with a flow variation of no greater than 50 megalitres of the requested flow.

8. General.

a. Currently, the people of Mt Beauty are unaware they have a river of international whitewater standard flowing past the town. Mt Beauty relies heavily on tourism as an income producer. The provision of flows requested would be very beneficial to the community of Mt Beauty because paddlers would be attracted to the area in increasing numbers, injecting funds into the local economy.

b. I support environmental flows.

c. I do wish to be heard in support of my submission.

d. Should others present similar submission I would be prepared to present a joint submission, if I consider it appropriate.

Have your say!

This topic is now available for public
comments, questions and suggestions on the
Paddle Australia Message Board