City backs Mullocullup motor craft

Councillors overturned a proposed ban on motor craft operating on popular Lake Mullocullup at a City of Albany council meeting on Tuesday night.

Despite a chorus of concern during public question time councillors voted in favour of the alternate motion moved by Cr Rob Sutton.

Cr Sutton indicated that no environmental impact had been established.

“The lake has a history of being a meeting place for local families to recreate on the water body for over 35 years,” he said.

“There is no evidence of environmental damage as a result of ongoing use of the lake.”

The motion passed eight votes to four with councillors Paul Terry, Ray Hammond, Bill Hollingworth and Anthony Moir voting against the gazettal.

Cr Hammond questioned the data used in the report.

“We don’t have the fundamental information to make decisions,” he said.

“I’m advocating that you err on the side of caution.

“Our priority is the preservation of our pristine environment.”

The motion also included a number of conditions; including a review in 12 months to determine whether a permit system to use the lake is required.

Other conditions related to consulting with the local Noongar community and the creation of an environmental monitoring program.

Earlier in public question time, Noongar elder Carol Peterson said she wanted more consultation.

“That lake for us is a spiritual being,” she said.

“I’m not against use of the lake; I’m against motorised vehicles on there.”

Resident John Hassel said allowing water-skiing on the lake was not environmentally responsible.

“Water-skiing is not an appropriate activity for a nature reserve,” he said.

The original recommendation was not to support the gazettal of the lake for water-skiing or the use of motorised water craft.