queensland Seq Water Newslatter

[rayke1938]

November 2018 Changes to recreation at Lake Samsonvale In 2016 we announced we would be making changes at Lake Samsonvale to improve on-water recreation following a landmark water quality assessment. The Australian-first landmark water quality assessment found Lake Samsonvale was able to cope with the introduction of public paddle craft, in addition to the existing club use of the lake, without impacting water quality in the major drinking water storage. We are pleased to announce the completion of the Forgan Cove launch point for use by paddle craft. As a result, public paddling will be permitted on the lake in the designated zone from Wednesday 21 November 2018. The recreation upgrade includes a new launch point for paddle craft, a 15-bay carpark, toilet facilities and a paddle craft wash down area. From Wednesday 21 November, paddle craft (such as canoes and kayaks) will be permitted on the lake seven days a week in the designated zone. For your safety and the safety of others, you must stay within the designated zone. Download the Lake Samsonvale Recreation Guide for details and a map of the zoning. Paddle craft must only be launched from the designated launch point at Forgan Cove. Stopping or mooring on any land around the lake, other than the Forgan Cove recreation area, is prohibited. Paddle craft with electric or fuel powered motors are not permitted. Download our FAQs for further information including opening hours, types of paddle craft permitted and zoning information! Boating – access to Lake Samsonvale for electric-powered boating and sailing is available to club members only. Visit our website for further information. Fuel-powered boating, skiing, tubing and jet skiing are not permitted on Lake Samsonvale. Fishing – shore line fishing is permitted along the shore of designated recreation areas around Lake Samsonvale, including the Forgan Cove recreation area. Fishing from paddle craft is permitted in the designated paddle craft zone. A fishing permit is required at Lake Samsonvale. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) controls the fishing rules and regulations in Queensland and administers the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS). Visit the DAF website for further information and to purchase your SIPS permit. Swimming – swimming is not permitted at Lake Samsonvale at any time.  Domestic animals – dogs and other domestic animals are prohibited at Lake Samsonvale (horses are permitted on the Postman’s Track Trails only). Don’t forget to check our Recreation and Safety Notices before planning your trip to Lake Samsonvale. Happy paddling! Ornamental Wetlands receive amenity block A new amenity block has been built at the Ornamental Wetlands parkland area at Ewen Maddock Dam due to increased visitation to the site. Ornamental Wetlands, off Steve Irwin Way, is situated beside the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) mountain bike trail network. For further information on the QPWS mountain bike trails, please contact QPWS directly on 13 74 68. Maintenance and improvements at Lake Baroon Improvements are also underway at Lake Baroon with the Northern Recreation Area receiving a new toilet facility. We have also upgraded the existing car parking facilities at the Southern Recreation Area, with works including rectification of damaged pavement, line marking, drainage work and re-sealing the existing walkways. Maintenance and asset refurbishment works are performed at our sites to ensure visitors can enjoy these wonderful areas. What you need to know before bringing your dog with you Our dams, lakes and parks are visited by 2.7 million people each year to enjoy activities such as swimming, boating, camping and fishing. But not all sites permit every activity. Dogs on leashes are allowed in designated areas at a number of our recreation sites but before heading out with your furry friend, make sure you are aware of the rules and regulations by checking out this video. Catch and release only from Hinze Dam Fishers are advised to release and not eat fish from Hinze Dam because of naturally-occurring mercury. Queensland Health has warned that fish caught in the dam are not suitable to eat due to elevated levels of naturally-occurring mercury in longer-lived fish. This follows recent results from routine Seqwater fish testing. To fish at Hinze Dam, you require a permit. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has advised all current permit holders of the advice. Signage has been placed at the dam reflecting the advice. Queensland Health said for those who have only occasionally eaten fish from Hinze Dam, there is very low risk of health effects or harm. If you are concerned about your or your family’s health, contact your GP or call 13 HEALTH. The mercury is naturally-occurring and is elevated in the fish because of bioaccumulation in longer-lived fish species. Treated water from the dam remains safe to use. Only treated water from these sources should be consumed because untreated water contains microorganisms that may cause illness. The levels of mercury detected in the water were within acceptable levels for permitted recreational activities. For more information, visit the Queensland Health website. You’re the skipper, you’re responsible Our lakes provide boating opportunities for a variety of activities such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing, boating and water sports. But freshwater does not necessarily mean calm water. Owners and operators are responsible for making sure their vessel is safe, properly equipped and maintained, and operated in a safe manner. Remember the distance-off rules. A maximum speed of 6 knots within 30 metres of: anchored or moored boats people in the water a jetty, wharf, pontoon or boat ramp a float or structure showing a diver flag For personal watercraft (PWCs), the rule is 60 metres of the above, the boundary of a bathing reserve or the shore. Check out the Maritime Safety Queensland website for information on freshwater boating, including rules and regulations and safety tips. Did you know – freshwater is less buoyant than salt water and the water temperature is usually colder. This increases the risk of cold water shock to the body and reduces the ability to function – so wear a lifejacket! Recreational fishing rules and regulations – bait use If you intend to fish recreationally in our waterways it is important you are fully aware of the rules and regulations in place that protect fish species and the sustainability of the industry. In this newsletter we focus on the use of bait in our dams and lakes. Marine baits in freshwater: The use of baits from the marine (saltwater) environment is prohibited in freshwaters unless the bait has been frozen, cooked, or preserved. This is to prevent the spread of disease and parasites in Queensland’s freshwater systems, and to protect native fish populations and the future viability of freshwater fish stocking programs. Freshwater baits: The use of fish and crustaceans such as spangled perch, redclaw, yabbies as bait (dead or alive) is prohibited outside their natural environment or range. This is to prevent species from becoming established in foreign habitats and causing environmental damage. Visit the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website for further information on the use of bait in freshwaters. Handy hint – the easiest way to prevent movement of fish species is to catch your bait at the location where you are fishing. But remember, any noxious or non-indigenous fish are not to be put back into the water or used as bait, even if caught at that location. See an issue, report it Our rangers and compliance officers regularly work with the Queensland Police Service and other enforcement agencies to curb illegal access and inappropriate behaviour at our sites. Visitors are reminded that the incorrect use of our facilities, such as horse riding on closed trails, using fuel powered boats on lakes where fuel powered boating is not permitted, and riding motorbikes on our trail networks, will be monitored. Neighbours and visitors who notice illegal access or inappropriate behaviour are encouraged to contact Seqwater on 1300 737 928. Joint operation to target illegal motorbike activity During August, Seqwater Compliance Officers and Rangers conducted a joint operation to target illegal access into Seqwater land at Mt Crosby, Kholo and Lake Manchester.  The operation was a collaborative effort between Seqwater, Karana Downs and Ipswich Police, and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. The focus was on illegal motorbike activity particularly within the Lake Manchester recreation trail network.  These trails are designated for bushwalking, mountain bike riding and horse trail riding as well as providing safe access for local staff and emergency services. Motorbikes and other vehicles are prohibited from accessing any Seqwater trail without prior approval. Overall the joint operation was a success with four notices to appear in court for trespass, four traffic infringement notices, one trespass infringement notice and one marine infringement notice. Further joint operations are scheduled for the summer months. Compliance report card This segment aims to provide readers with a quick snapshot of some of the safety and illegal issues our compliance team are witnessing when patrolling our recreation areas and catchment land. Positive news around our catchments: Environmental warriors – a pat on the back to our visitors that do the right thing by disposing of their rubbish appropriately, either in the bin if provided or by taking it with them. Not all our recreation sites have bins, so it is fantastic to see our visitors doing their bit for the environment. Dispose of the poop – horse riders accessing the trail network at Lake Samsonvale have been doing their bit too. Please take the horse poo with you or deposit in the muck box provided. This helps prevent the spread of weeds and improve the aesthetics of the park. Improvements required: Ski anti-clockwise – with the recent warm weather, our lakes that permit skiing have been particularly busy. Skiers are to follow the anti-clockwise rule to avoid head on collisions with others.   Are you taking enough water for your activity? Visitors accessing our trail networks are reminded to make sure you are prepared for your activity. This includes making sure you have enough food and water. Our Rangers and Compliance Officers are seeing trail users continually be unprepared. Bring a first aid kit (including snake bit kit) and if you are taking medication (e.g. asthma) make sure you bring it with you. If you are hiking alone, tell someone where you are. Access to Atkinsons Crossing – visitors are required to follow the directions of signage on site to ensure you are not entering a restricted area. Under the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries legislation, fishing is prohibited from 100m upstream to 600 m downstream of the Wivenhoe Dam wall. Where can I swim? Not all of our lakes permit swimming, so visitors are reminded to check the Seqwater website for a list of permitted swimming areas before planning your trip. For your safety and the safety of others, swimming is only permitted in designated swimming areas, not the entire lake. We are unfortunately still seeing people take the risk of swimming in non-approved areas where vessels and high-speed water sports are permitted to take place.

[Drop Bear]

Thanks mate. 

Might be a fun to have a Yak or land based AFO fishing day at Forgan Cove.