CONCERNED: Local Eppalock fisherman Paul White. Picture: JODIE DONNELLAN
THE facilities at Lake Eppalock are dangerous and in need of urgent upgrade, a local fisherman said.
Paul White said he has used the lake for boating for more than 30 years.
He said the main boat ramp was too small and congested and often caused tension among those using it.
“My main concern is there’s just not enough facilities,” he said.
“I go out there three or four times a week fishing and there are nowhere near enough facilities to cope with the amount it’s being used.
“People are launching small tinnies off the bank because you can do it easily without getting in people’s way.
“People at the ramp are under the pump because of the lines, they’re getting heated, and it’s a lot more relaxing to do it on your own without people shouting at you.”
Mr White said he had never seen the lake so busy which caused further concerns.
“It’s not only boats but jet skis,” he said.
“There’s not much of a spot for people to move around and it’s quite dangerous.”
He said toilet facilities were also severely lacking, with one toilet block out of use for several years.
Goulburn-Murray Water dams co-ordinator Jeff Harrison said a draft Lake Eppalock management plan had been released but people had not raised boat ramp access as a concern.
“There are no issues with the adequacy of the existing number of boat ramps ... that wasn’t something that came through strongly in our initial round of consultations,” he said “I’d suggest (Mr White) provide additional feedback.”
Mr Harrison said the draft report had found a need to improve other facilities like toilet blocks and car parks.
He said a final plan would be made then funding requests made to improve the area.
“There is a lack of revenue ... there’s no revenue collected by Goulburn-Murray Water,” he said.
“The irrigators currently fund these activities and we don’t – and the irrigators don’t – believe that’s a good long-term approach.
“The state of the facilities reflects the limited funding available and there’s also been 10 years of drought and a lack of use and attention during that time.”