Rafferty’s Resort: Jet ski racing plans lodged for Lake Macquarie

Up to 100 of Australia’s fastest jet skis will descend on Lake Macquarie under plans to host a national racing series. It comes amid fears jet skis are behind an increase in animal strikes.

Jet ski racing will return to Lake Macquarie under plans to stage a number of competitions at Rafferty's Resort and Eleebana. (File photo Scott Powick)

Jet ski racing will return to Lake Macquarie under new plans to host two rounds of a NSW series over two weekends in February and March ahead of a three-day national championship in April.

But it comes amid growing concerns a small contingent of rogue jet ski riders are behind an anecdotal increase in the number of marine and bird strikes being reported to wildlife groups.

Sydney Jet Sports Association, trading as the NSW Personal Watercraft Club (NSWPWC), has lodged plans with Lake Macquarie City Council to stage two racing events on February 25 and March 17 from Rafferty’s Resort at Cams Wharf.

The club anticipates about 75-100 competitors will enter both events, which would become rounds two and three on the annual PWC racing calendar.

The development application (DA) states the intention is to make the events a “regular feature on the nautical sporting and tourism calendar” for Lake Macquarie, boost local involvement in competitive racing and provide an economic boost for the area.

Jet ski racing on Lake Macquarie could provide an economic boost to the area, according to organisers. (File image)

Currently the majority of NSWPWC’s races take place on the Georges River at The Homestead Park, Chipping Norton, in Sydney’s southwest.

“It will contain both endurance and short circuit racing and cater for a wide range of PWC race classes,” the DA states.

Rafferty's Resort on Lake Macquarie is the proposed location for two rounds of the NSW series. (File image)

“The event will have a specific focus on encouraging new rider entries from the local region, to increase local community involvement in the sport of PWC racing.”

Lake Macquarie is no stranger to jet ski racing with events previously held in 2017 and 2019 and comes after a national three-day championship — the first in NSW since the pandemic — has already been approved for Eleebana from April 12-15.

Organisers said the temporary nature of the events will not have any lasting environmental impact beyond the normal wash and wakes caused by other recreational boaters most weekends.

“While the noise from the PWC race event during races will be higher than typical levels experienced in the Rafferty’s Resort lake area, however, we note that all of the PWC are registered vehicles that comply with their respective state requirements,” the DA states.

Jet skis are expected to comply with a noise limit of 95dB at a distance of 30m. (File image)

“In addition to this, the duration of the race events are limited and temporary in nature. In addition, the hours of operation of the whole event are limited to daytime hours. For racing vessels, the generally accepted maximum noise level for engines is 95dB at 30m.”

The DA remains with Lake Macquarie council for determination, which will in turn determine whether the event is successful in its application for an Aquatic Licence from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to stage the races.

“The promotion and undertaking of this event will provide significant media exposure for the City of Lake Macquarie on the national stage and will have potential to create significant tourist-related expenditure, now and into the future, as the event is intended to return on a yearly basis,” the DA states.

However wildlife groups are pleading for boat and jet ski owners to be careful following an anecdotal increase in marine life and birds injured by watercraft.

Wildlife groups are worried more marine animals will be hit by boats or jet skis like this green sea turtle injured in QLD in 2020 (file image).

Recently three sea turtles were found dead within as many weeks at Lake Macquarie with a minority of rogue jet ski riders blamed.

NSWPWC president and race organiser Matthew Tyler said the sporting body worked closely with RMS to promote responsible jet ski riding, while providing a safe “controlled environment” for those who wanted to test their skills and speed without risk to themselves or wildlife.

However, he said similar to motorcycle riders, jet skis had suffered a bad reputation created by a small group of “hoons”.

“We’re doing everything we can to change that image,” he said.