Lake Flooded With Holidaying Families

Newcastle Herald

Friday January 16, 2009

By STEPHEN RYAN

LOWER fuel prices and superb weather have helped flood Lake Macquarie with powerboats and water skiers this summer.

After a dismal 2007-08 holiday season where petrol and diesel exceeded $1.50 a litre, boat owners have refused to let the doom and gloom of the global financial crisis keep them indoors.

"This time last year we weren't even half as busy as we are at the moment," David Serone, owner of Morisset Outboard Services, said.

"[Last year] fuel was getting up to about $1.70 a litre and that kept the bigger boats away, particularly the V6s.

"The skiers who were going out once a month last year are now going out every weekend."

Les Binkin, from Marmong Point Marina, said consistently good weather has also contributed to a busy time on the lake.

"There are definitely more boats out there this summer," Mr Binkin said.

"But last year the weather was awful. You'd look out at the marina and it would be full of boats because no one wanted to go out.

"This year, the weather's been sensational."

Mr Serone said even though times were tough for some, most Australians were determined to enjoy the holidays.

"I know some people are scared and the media has been reporting all this doom and gloom, but people still want to get out and do what they love," Mr Serone said.

"People might not be spending money on new boats, but they are spending money on fixing up what they've got so they can get out on the water and enjoy time with their families."

The number of visiting yachts was not as strong this summer, Lake Macquarie Yacht Club manager Ken McLeod said.

"We've hosted two large regattas during the Christmas period, but I'd say the number of visiting yachts is well down because of Swansea Channel," Mr McLeod said.

He added that many yachts, especially the larger ones, did not dare enter the lake through the shallow channel.

"Something needs to be done, but the Government has made it clear that it doesn't have the money to dredge," he said.

© 2009 Newcastle Herald

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