From 1 July 2024, all motorised watercraft will be prohibited from a new marine zone at Riverston Bay at Lake Awoonga, making it safer for people wanting to swim, kayak, stand up paddle board or just float around in the calm protected water.
Gladstone Area Water Board CEO Darren Barlow said the change was requested by the community and is a great outcome for recreational users.
“As we developed the 2020-2025 Lake Awoonga Recreation Strategy we asked the community what the priorities were for Lake Awoonga and this change was raised”, Mr Barlow said.
“We took the community feedback onboard and formally requested the new marine zone from Maritime Safety Queensland.
“The marine zone will provide certainty for swimmers, kids, kayakers etc, who will be able to enter the water at Riverston Bay without worrying about keeping an eye on boats, jet skis and waterskiiers.
“People can still bring their boats and jet skis to Lake Awoonga – there’s plenty of space in the 7,000 hectare lake, and the main public boat ramp and Trevor Burgess boat ramp remain unaffected.
“This change is another enhancement for Lake Awoonga, already a terrific destination for locals and visitors to fish, swim, camp, or hike, with excellent facilities open for the public all year around.”
The new maritime safety marine zone will be established around Riverston Bay at Lake Awoonga.
New boundary marker buoys will be installed highlighting the new marine zone which will be relocated inside the existing six knot marker buoys.
There will also be new signs installed at Riverston Bay and main public boat ramp to keep people informed.
The Riverston Bay marine zone was established by Maritime Safety Queensland and penalties apply to those in control of a motorised watercraft who enter the protected marine zone.
To find out more about maritime safety and Queensland’s marine zones, go to www.msq.qld.gov.au/waterways/marine-zones
