Rowing community led by Olympian Sarah Cook unite for campaign called Collision Course to stop congestion in Parramatta River

THE rowing community has raised concerns over congestion on Parramatta River saying it has become a boating super highway with fears that the safety of users in smaller vessels is being ignored.

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CONGESTION on the Parramatta River has raised concerns among the rowing community which says the river is becoming a boating super highway that is jeopardising the safety of recreational and those in smaller vessels.

Rowing NSW has launched a campaign called Collision Course, and is calling on river users to pressure the NSW Government “to change course on Sydney’s waterways and keep everyone safe”.

Olympian and rowing coach Sarah Cook is the face of the campaign and she said she was concerned “lives are at risk”.

Along with increasing traffic in the river, the campaign has gained momentum on the back of plans for a new wharf to be built on the Parramatta River at Rhodes.

“This means water traffic will be forced through a drastically narrowed path under the nearby footbridge,” Ms Cook said.

Sarah Cook is leading the campaign for safety in Parramatta River.

Ms Cook said that reduced visibility, increased congestion and dangerous turbulence and wash were big concerns with the current plans.

She said that rowers and other passive recreational users of Parramatta River are already in a vulnerable position, fighting for space with commercial and powered vessels.

Ms Cook said local rowers were distressed that the placement of the wharf has been decided without any consultation.

She said that hundreds of school kids and other rowers practised in the River daily and that conditions were becoming a real safety concern.

A Roads and Maritime spokesman said Sydney Harbour and its tributaries are shared by various recreational and commercial interests and the organisation is continually working to provide a safe equitable use for all waterway users.

Rowing NSW say dangerous turbulence is on the rise.

“Roads and Maritime consults closely with Sydney Harbour’s rowing community to advise on major events, infrastructure developments and other activity that may impact on their sport,” he said.

“In the three years to 30 January this year there were four reported incidents involving rowers on Parramatta River which involved a scull swamped by vessel wash, two rowing sculls colliding with each other and one scull hitting a moored vessel.”

Ms Cook said that in recent times there have been a couple of serious, and well known incidents between ferries and rowers — “including near collisions, boats breaking over the ferry wash, and rowing boats become swamped or capsizing.”

Rowing NSW CEO Anthony Blower said recent accidents have shown how rowers will always come off second best, and he said lives would be put at risk if something wasn’t done soon.

Rowing NSW have started a campaign called Collision Course.

“There is no reason the wharf plan can’t be changed to improve safety,” he said.

“Rowing has a proud 150-year history on the Parramatta River and on Sydney’s waterways and the River is a training ground for our Olympic champions.

“But this isn’t just about athletes, it’s about anyone who wants Sydney Harbour to be safe for recreation.”

Mr Blower said Collision Cause has been launched as an avenue to offer everyone a voice.

“It is possible to have a harbour that works for commercial and recreational use but it requires everyone having a voice,” he said.

“Our aim is to start a conversation that would see everyone who uses Sydney’s waterways, and in particular the Parramatta River, safe.”

Should there be more guidelines in place to protect rowers in the River? Tell us at the Inner West Courier Facebook page.

Should there be more guidelines in place to protect rowers in the River?