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Tying up moorings

Jessica Clement

Thursday 15 May, 2008 12:01am

NSW MARITIME has vowed to remove several rogue moorings at Sawmill Bay following last week's Lake Macquarie News front page.

One Arcadia Vale resident expressed his satisfaction at the decision after he revealed the moorings to be in breach of the Lake Macquarie Mooring Management Plan.

He said he had fought for months to have the situation clarified.

Meanwhile boat owners have reacted angrily to claims moorings in Lake Macquarie had impinged on waterskiers and other recreational water users.

NSW Boat Owners Association secretary and Swansea resident David Johnston said Lake Macquarie was there for everyone to share.

"The lake is there to be used by everybody, not just those who want exclusive right to ski in front of their own houses," Mr Johnston said.

He said a reduction in the amount of moorings on Lake Macquarie was simply "not going to happen".

"The review (of the Lake Macquarie Mooring Management Plan) that is due later this year is just that a review of a very extensive mooring plan," he said.

"We won't be reducing any moorings. We are desperate for accommodation for boats."

Lake Macquarie is roughly four times the size of Sydney Harbour and contains fewer than half the amount of moorings.

Mr Johnston said he understood areas of the lake may have traditionally been used as ski areas.

"It's just that it's always been a mooring area as well," Mr Johnston said.

"There's plenty of lake."