Submission re Kiewa River Draft Management Plan
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:
- Tower Access Track to
Falls Creek road bridge (expert whitewater paddling).
- Falls Creek road bridge
to Lake Guy (elite whitewater paddling).
- Lake Guy to Mt Beauty
regulating pondage (intermediate to elite whitewater paddling).
- Mt Beauty regulating
pondage to Tawonga Caravan Park (beginner to intermediate whitewater
paddling).
- 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:
- School groups,
- Commercial
organisations,
- Canoe clubs,
- Multisport clubs,
- Informal slalom training
- 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:
- Canoe Club trips
(focusing on instruction and recreation)
- White water rodeo
competition
- Slalom training and
competition
- Whitewater paddling for
elite and expert kayakers
- Commercial instruction
courses (both white water kayaking and multisport)
- 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
