Home Australia Australia Day ban sparks outrage – as locals claim they were left in the dark about decision

Australia Day ban sparks outrage – as locals claim they were left in the dark about decision

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The boat and jet ski jetty at Bonnie Vale will be closed over the Australia Day long weekend, sparking outrage among locals and visitors.

A camping area has been criticized for making the “unfair” decision to ban boats and jet skis at Australia Day celebrations.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will prevent people from launching their boats and jet skis from the Bonnie Vale jetty in Bundeena over the long weekend despite it being the most popular time of year to use the boats. facilities.

Andrew Petty paid more than $300 for a camping vacation with his family and all he wanted to do was take his kids fishing.

“We have one of the most beautiful waterways for everyone to use,” Mr Petty said.

“We pay for our boating license, registration, fishing license, national park entrance fee, camping fee and are denied access to the only ramp on that side of Port Hacking.”

Petty said he would have to drive more than an hour to find the nearest ramp to launch his boat and believed he was paying the price for irresponsible jet ski users, who cause a nuisance and danger when traversing the canal.

“The maritime sector does not have the resources to prevent jet ski attacks, so their alternative is to simply force the ramp to close and hire traffic police to control access to the ramp,” he said.

Petty said the ban was “unfair” because much of the traffic comes from motorcyclists crossing from the other side of Port Hacking.

The boat and jet ski jetty at Bonnie Vale will be closed over the Australia Day long weekend, sparking outrage among locals and visitors.

One local resident called the move “another example of a government agency creating a problem instead of looking for more practical solutions.”

Locals, who were not consulted about the decision, also argued that the boat ramp offered a safe access point out of the isolated Bundeena area in the event of an emergency.

The Port Hacking River is one of the most notorious spots for jet ski violations in New South Wales and authorities say they cause significant traffic congestion on nearby roads when the Royal National Park is full.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service said the closure would also improve safety in the area by separating swimmers from boat users.

“Public safety is always our number one priority and this temporary closure ensures that Bonnie Vale remains a safer and more enjoyable space for all visitors over the long weekend,” said Brendon Neilly, Royal Life Service area manager. Wildlife and National Parks of New South Wales.

Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart also backed the move to prioritize safety.

The popularity of jet skis is booming in New South Wales, with more than 92,000 licensed riders in the state; a 43 percent increase from five years ago.

NSW Maritime officer Jay Ruming said New South Wales had recorded 1,700 jet ski offenses in the past 12 months.

‘Our data tells us that jet skis are grossly overrepresented in serious injury incidents. “People involved in a jet ski accident have a 50 per cent chance of suffering a serious injury,” Mr Ruming said.

The access point at Bonnie Vale will be closed from 9pm on Friday 24 January until 7am on Tuesday 28 January.

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