A LETTER sent to users of Lake Burley Griffin from the National Capital Authority (NCA) seems to confirm that operation of seaplanes on Lake Burley Griffin will go ahead, despite a majority of public submissions against the proposal.
Multiple sporting organisations and other users of the waterway this week received a letter from NCA Chief Sally Barnes outlining the drafting of a new guide to safely using the lake given presence of seaplanes.
“In line with previous communication the NCA is committed to ensuring safe working arrangements are well documented and in place for lake users and seaplane operators in line with all relevant regulatory standards before operations commence,” the letter says.
“This includes a licence for seaplane operators that sets the legal framework for their operations and a Lake User Guide for the shared and safe use of the lake by all.”
“We are pleased to advise that the draft framework for the Lake User Guide is taking form, and shortly, will be in a format that can be issued to you for information and initial feedback. It is proposed that the Lake User Guide will cover general information about using the lake and the updated ordinances.”
It comes despite a significant backlash to the idea from regular users of the lake.
More than 100 submissions were received during the NCA’s six-week community consultation period, with 72 submissions against the proposal for a seaplane commuter service between Sydney Harbour and Lake Burley Griffin, and only 21 supporting it.
Two seaplane operators, Sydney Seaplanes and South Coast Seaplanes, want to use the lake for the commuter services.
Safety was the single biggest concern raised by lake-based sporting clubs during the consultation process, while community groups such as the Yarralumla Residents’ Association were worried about seaplane noise.
Despite the criticisms, the NCA has approved the use of seaplanes on the lake saying that if concerns are “appropriately managed” the planes would provide a “unique” travel tourism link to the nation’s capital.
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