Fishing, skiing in dam plans

Wellington Dam will be opened to power boats and water skiing for the first time in its 80-year history following changes to by-laws covering the catchment.

Water Minister Terry Redman this week said the changes would increase recreation and tourism opportunities, bringing social and economic benefits to the region.

As part of a pre-election promise by the WA Liberal Party, the 185GL dam will be de-proclaimed as a drinking water source.

It will be restocked with brown trout and rainbow trout or black bream and opened to power boats. “

Wellington Dam is the biggest surface water source in the South West and offers an exciting base for tourism and recreational pursuits,” Mr Redman said.

The Liberals pushed ahead with the plan despite opposition from Collie Shire Council, Wellington waterways advocate Ed Riley and Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray.

The council has written to the State Government saying it supports more passive uses of the weir such as sailing, paddleboats, electric-powered boats and swimming.

Cr Ian Miffling told the South Western Times he held personal concerns about public safety and pollution if Wellington Dam was opened to fuel-powered boats.

“There are concerns with speed boats that when the water levels are very low people won’t notice the tree stumps and tree bodies in the water,” he said

Mr Riley predicted any fish introduced into the dam would die due to the poor water quality.

He said fish species including callop, redfin perch, brown trout and rainbow trout, murray cod and eel were all previously introduced into the dam and only the redfin had survived.

Mr Riley has also flagged problems in the dam created by introduced carp species after multiple sightings of a koi, weighing between 4kg and 6kg, in the dam.

Mr Murray said the State Government should have focussed on opening Lake Kepwari as the region’s dedicated water skiing area.

“It (Wellington Dam) is a national park and it should be used for passive recreation,” he said.

Additional camping sites have been provided at Potters Gorge.

More than 150,000 people visit Wellington National Park each year.