Plans for lake good news for lovers of water sports

Lake Kepwari could soon become a premium water skiing and wakeboarding destination, after Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray pledged to develop the area.

He said no action had been taken for eight years to develop the lake and it “was about time something was done”.

Mr Murray plans to have boating infrastructure and road access developed at the location in the next six months.

Located about 10km south-east of Collie, the lake, which is 75m deep, would complement tourist attractions already in the region as well as create more jobs, he said.

“This project has only been held up by a lack of political will from the Liberal-National Government and a refusal to cut through the red tape,” Mr Murray said.

“We will install the basic facilities to let water-skiers, wakeboarders, and jet skiers get out on the water by September.

“That will include infrastructure to get boats out on the water, some basic shelter, utilities, and road access.”

Mr Murray said a number of private investors had shown interest in the project – including an adjacent landowner with an interest in building a caravan park and chalets next to the lake.

He said the plan would allow for Wellington Dam to return to its focus as a passive recreation area, giving powerboat and jet ski users from throughout WA and beyond a dedicated home in the South West.