The topic of wake-boarders on the Hawkesbury River was briefly discussed at Hawkesbury Council’s meeting on Tuesday, November 24.
In July, Council floated the idea of banning the use of wake-boarding on the river.
Council said at the time the large waves created by wake-boarders was damaging the banks of the river, a claim which the wake-boarding community vehemently denied.
Council conducted a public consultation period between August and November, and at the Council meeting, acknowledged it had received the report detailing the public’s concerns.
Council received 43 submissions from people who believe the large waves contribute to the erosion of the river’s banks.
Council also received 33 submissions, which said they doubted wake-boarding contributed to erosion, and the likely cause was recent flooding and other natural issues.
Three submissions received suggested Council undertake a study to determine the cause of the erosion, however, The Roads and Maritime Authority has already committed to completing a study.
At the meeting, Cr Bob Porter defended Council’s original comments from the July and August meetings.
He said the intention was not to close the river to wake-boarders, but rather to police them, to make sure people used them properly.
“Anyone who used the river would realise the boats have an impact on the river,” he said.