Plans to reduce the speed limit to five knots over two-thirds of Lake Burrumbeet for the summer months were knocked back by the majority of Ballarat councillors this week.
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Council officers had recommended the reduced speed limit be put in place, while safety measures were taken to mitigate risks, including putting more buoys in to flag submerged hazards beneath the water. This would bring the lake into line with the Maritime Safety Act 2010, they said. Under the plans, the southern part of the lake would have retained a 40 knot speed limit.
Councillors heard a public submission from a regular lake user, who said the lake had been operating with the current system for several years "with very little incident or accident".
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"We're concerned too with the lack of consultation. None of us has had any consultation about these proposals until we have found out about them three or four weeks ago.
"I would like to see the lake left as it is until some sort of consultation does take place and we come up with a plan to make the place better."
The deputy mayor Cr Amy Johnson moved an alternate motion, effectively rejecting the summer speed curbs, saying the City of Ballarat should address community safety risk after further consultation in March 2021.
Cr Des Hudson was not in favour, arguing: "The summer conditions, mixing alcohol and other things, often leads to increased risk taking... Just like a black spot intersection, we need to address those as they come up, we need to address this as the issue is before us now."
Bridget Wetherall, director of infrastructure and environment, said more visitors were expected this year as the lake was full, which would increase risks.
"The best outcome for public safety would be the short-term investment in $25,000 in more buoys and appropriate signage this summer," she said.
"That's at the recommendation of Marine Safety Victoria - [which] would include the need to reduce the speed limit where there aren't enough buoys marked, and where there are significant risks and submerged obstacles."
Councillors also queried costings given for a waterway manager for Lake Burrumbeet. The council has not played an active role in managing the waters of the lake, which an officer report said would need to change. The annual cost for a full time post was given as $180,000.
Mayor Daniel Moloney put forward an amendment, keeping speed limits the same, but advocating for signage and buoys to be put in place to reduce risks. Councillors Hudson, Belinda Coates and Mark Harris did not support the compromise, but it was passed by the remaining councillors.
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