HomeMarine Safety SA   News   Update on restrictions to boating and water activities on the River Murray and Lake Bonney

Update on restrictions to boating and water activities on the River Murray and Lake Bonney

Thursday, 29 December 2022

Water users are advised that a number of updates have been made to flood-related restrictions to boating and water activities at Lake Bonney and on the River Murray.

Speed limit restrictions for personal watercraft (jet skis) have been lifted at Lake Bonney due to it being physically disconnected from the River Murray and following a risk assessment.

A Direction has also been modified to clarify that land-based fishing and yabbying are permissible at all locations.

However, for the safety of all river users and to protect critical infrastructure, further restrictions on boating and water activities are now in place, including the Murray Mouth and barrages along the river.

River users are reminded that previous restrictions continue to apply on the River Murray, including a ban on all recreational boating and water activities between the South Australian border and Wellington ferry.

For more information on all current restrictions and the latest marine safety advice, please visit www.sa.gov.au/floods.

Lake Bonney

The 4 knot speed limit under Direction 2 has been removed for all Personal Watercraft using Lake Bonney.

All vessel users are reminded that existing restricted areas apply on Lake Bonney 100 metres from the water’s edge by Dean Drive and Lakeside Avenue (all vessels 4 knots) and English Road and Ireland Road, both of which are marked with buoys.

The 4 knot speed restriction continues to apply in all other waters of the River Murray upstream from Wellington.

Land-based fishing

Direction 5, previously issued on 20 December 2022, has been modified to clarify that land-based fishing and yabbying are permissible. Fishing from boats remains a prohibited activity.

Land-based fishers should be cautious and are advised that:

  • River banks may be soft unstable and at risk of collapse.
  • Areas of the river that are fast flowing should be avoided.
  • Eroded areas should be avoided.
  • Consideration should be given to wearing a suitable lifejacket.

They are also reminded to stay off levee banks, which are not designed for recreational activities.

Murray Mouth

With increasing high flows exiting the Murray Mouth at Goolwa, strong currents pose a safety risk to people swimming or operating human-powered vessels nearby.

Restrictions

The following restrictions now apply within a 750 metre radius of the Murray Mouth:

  • No human-powered vessels or any other water traffic (including canoes, kayaks, surf skis, rowboats or aquatic toys) can be operated, used or moored
  • No swimming, bathing, or diving or entering the water is permitted.

Exemptions

These restrictions do not apply to:

  • Any vessel activity that is reasonably required and used in conjunction with any work related, business or commercial operation.
  • Any vessels operated by the South Australian emergency services that are providing assistance to reduce the risk to life and injury of a persons
  • This also includes any vessels operated by a volunteer organisation or association that may be providing assistance to any South Australian emergency services
  • Any vessels operated by the SA Department for Environment and Water, SA Water or the Murray Darling Basin Authority or any of their contractors used in conjunction with any river monitoring or related purpose.

Barrages on the River Murray

To protect the infrastructure required to manage water flows on the River Murray and ensure the safety of river users due to fast-flowing water, exclusion zones now apply near barrages along the River Murray.

Restrictions

Within 250 metres of either side of each of the Goolwa Barrage, Mundoo Barrage, Boundary Creek Barrage, Ewe Island Barrage and Tauwitchere Barrage located on the River Murray the following restrictions apply:

  • No human-powered vessels or any other water traffic (including canoes, kayaks, surf skis, rowboats or aquatic toys) are permitted to operate, be used or moored
  • No swimming, bathing, diving or entering the water is permitted.

These restrictions replicate measures already in place within 250m of locks and weirs further upstream.

Exemptions

These restrictions do not apply to:

  • Any vessels operated by the South Australian emergency services that are providing assistance to reduce the risk to life and injury of a persons
  • This also includes any vessels operated by a volunteer organisation or association that may be providing assistance to any South Australian emergency services
  • Any vessels operated by the SA Department for Environment and Water, SA Water or the Murray Darling Basin Authority or any of their contractors used in conjunction with any river monitoring or related purpose.

More information

Marine safety teams and SAPOL officers will continue to have increased presence on the water, with any person or vessel operator found in breach of any one of these restrictions may be subject to a maximum Court imposed penalty of $10,000.

River users are reminded not to swim, ride, walk or drive in high flow waterways.

Locals are also urged to check that their vessel moorings are secure as water levels rise, if it is safe to do.

For more on all current restrictions, the latest marine safety advice and River Murray high flows, please visit the State Government’s dedicated website at www.sa.gov.au/floods.