Lake Macquarie's Swansea Channel to be Dredged?

by Mark Connors, The Star/Sail-World on 25 Nov 2008 A proposal to dredge Swansea Channel is being considered by the NSW Department of Lands. This is good news for deep-keeled yachts wanting to pass through the channel, who have to deal with ongoing silt build-up.

A proposal being considered by the NSW Department of Lands and supported by Swansea MP Robert Coombs and all the yacht clubs on Lake Macquarie (Australia's largest saltwater lake) would see private companies dredge the channel then wash and reuse the sand for their own purposes.

The main section of concern is a 70-metre stretch off ‘The Drop’, which is only two metres deep at high tide. Boats can become grounded in the section, which can lead to dangerous rescue situations, as well as damage the vessels.

Lake Macquarie Yacht Club members have to navigate the section often, and hold regular races in the open water in the summer season, which normally includes around 20 boats crossing the channel.

The yachts, ranging in size from 30 to 44 foot, are dragged over ‘The Drop’ by a power boat, which has lines attached to the yacht’s mast. The process can take up to half an hour and can potentially damage a yacht’s mast.

Lake Macquarie Yacht Club general manager Ken McLeod said dredging the lake was an ongoing process, which needed constant attention. 'We need to get the private enterprises involved, and make it worthwhile for them.'

Swansea MP Robert Coombs said the proposal was being considered by the Department of Lands and he expected an answer next week.

'We want to deepen the channel so we don’t have boats grounding themselves.'

Mr Coombs said private enterprises might be required to pay some royalties to dredge the channel.

He said the rising silt levels had also reduced the lake’s boating tourist trade but getting the area serviced regularly should help increase the region’s popularity with the boating fraternity.