Western Victoria Region
Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:45): (278) My constituency question is for the Minister for Water and concerns the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority’s proposed changes to regulations on use of the Barwon River. The Geelong Water Ski Club is a friendly local club with recreational waterskiing and educational programs, but it also develops world-class athletes who frequently win national titles and represent Australia at world championships. The club’s facilities can host national championships, one of only four sites nationwide which can. For nearly 70 years the club, which owns 500 metres of riverfrontage, has coexisted happily with other river users. Now, for no reason anyone understands, rezoning changes and a ban on use of the river in the morning threaten the future of training and the viability of the club. Minister, will you ask the authority to look again at how the club’s future can be assured?