Lake Weeroona Dragons Afloat club calls for improved facilities after damage to boat

A city arborist has inspected a tree and recommended future trimmings after a branch fell on the compound shared by the Bendigo Canoe Club and two dragon boat clubs.

President of Dragons Afloat Anne Somerville has called for improved facilities after this incident, and a break-in on Saturday night.

Ms Somerville was concerned about the safety of people using the facilities. She said it was lucky the branch fell overnight, not when people were using the yard.

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She said the club feels "vulnerable" in the compound, after a boat was damaged in a break-in on Saturday night.

She is also feared that boats were vulnerable to the elements, saying the yard needed at least a temporary cover.

City of Greater Bendigo's acting manager active and healthy lifestyles Matthew Kerlin said the city was working with the Lake Weeroona Pavilion Committee to plan for the future of facilities to support club and community activities.

Dragons Afloat is a member of the Lake Weeroona Pavilion Committee.

Mr Kerlin said the Pavilion Committee was talking about future plans with other user groups, which they would be bringing to the city in May.

Tuesday:

Dragons Afloat Boat Club has called for more secure facilities after a break-in over the weekend caused damage to a boat worth about $10,000 at their Lake Weeroona facility.

The lock had been taken from the gate of the dragon boat yard and the gate was sitting open on a Sunday morning. It was noticed on Sunday by a member of one of the two dragon boat clubs at Lake Weeroona.

The boats had been pushed back against the fence, which had caused damage to the underside of one boat.

President of Dragons Afloat club Anne Somerville said the fact that the lock had been taken off the gate showed "intention" in the tampering.

The club had paddled on Saturday morning, before locking the shed and the gate of the facility.

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Ms Somerville said there had been an 18^th birthday party at the rowing club pavilion, but she didn't know if it was connected to the damage.

"We have had that lock on that shed also tampered with previously, so we're feeling a bit vulnerable to be honest," she said.

Ms Somerville does not know how much the damage to the boats will cost to repair yet.

"It looks like minor damage but we don't know if there's structurally anything caused in that," Ms Somerville said.

"We think it's usable but we don't know if there is a structural issue in it, or if it'll deteriorate if we use it."

The boats are worth several thousand dollars each.

Ms Somerville said the club was also concerned that their exposed location could cause damage to the boats.

A few weeks ago falling tree branch caused damage to the Canoe Club shed in the shared yard during a storm.

Ms Somerville said she was not just concerned about the boats and facilities, but the people using them.

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"At any point of time on a Saturday we would have between 20 or 30 people standing round here doing something," Ms Somerville said.

"We know that no one wants to take trees out unless it's necessary but ... it was fortunate it was overnight because this can be quite a busy place with people.

"It's not only the boats that are concerned, it's just people being here, which we are three or four times a week."

The damage raised broader concerns about the facility's suitability for the Dragon Boat clubs which use it.

Ms Somerville said members were concerned about how exposed the fenced yard is to the elements, and how difficult it was for their members to haul boats in and out and manage heavy locks.

"We've got new covers, both boats have got new covers in the last year, because it's just a wear and tear issue," Ms Somerville said.

"We're just concerned about the exposure elements particularly, but more so now concerned about people getting in and just doing damage.

"The predominant age group is an older age group, and Dragons Abreast are all breast cancer survivors, even managing heavy locks, heaving boats out like this, it's becoming a bit of an issue."

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The Dragon Boat Club is included in council's master plan for Lake Weeroona, but Ms Somerville said this meant new facilities could be several years away.

At the least the club needs a major cover as an interim measure, Ms Somerville said.

"If we don't do that soon I think we'll be in strife," she said.

"Once things start to happen like that there may be a spate of it, or it might just be random, but it's a concern because we couldn't afford to replace the boats."

Ms Somerville said the club also needed more space as its member base grew.

In the past year the Dragons Afloat club has doubled its membership in the past year, she said.

The club would like to invite other teams to the lake for social paddling.

The club also has another boat that they could get, but are unable to store it at the facility, Ms Somerville said.

City of Greater Bendigo has been contacted for comment.

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