MidCoast Councillor Peter Howard makes controversial jetski post

A Mid-North Coast councillor has hit back at the “hysterical” debate about whether jetski riders are hassling dolphins in a local lake – sparking criticism from residents concerned about marine life.

MidCoast Councillor Peter Howard says he was just trying to inject some balance into the sometimes ‘hysterical’ annual debate about jet skis on Wallis Lake at Forster/Tuncurry but his comments have drawn some heat.

Debate about whether jetskis should be banned on a NSW mid-north coast lake where dolphins reside rages on, with one councillor wading into the conversation about the controversial leisure activity.

Choosing his words carefully, MidCoast Councillor Peter Howard said he didn’t want to use terms like “hysterical” or “Karens” when it comes to the annual debate about visiting jetski riders.

Rather, Mr Howard said he just wanted to inject some balance into the discussion.

The MidCoast councillor said jetskis were “obviously not popular within a certain demographic” who would be keen to see them banned on Wallis Lake as they have been in Sydney and Newcastle harbours.

A recent Facebook post where he urged riders to “go hard” has now copped criticism from locals particularly concerned about their impact on dolphins.

During the summer period last year The Daily Telegraph reported that jetski riders had been driving authorities “nuts” and putting dolphins under extreme stress - driving dangerously close to them and herding them up for “fun”.

One expert said jetski riders were known to herd up dolphins to get selfies and videos to share on social media.

SLSNSW Shark surveillance drone operator Peter Mooney told The Daily Telegraph that “jetskis are driving us nuts, going around and around and getting close to dolphins”.

But Mr Howard said there is no evidence to support this.

“Certain individuals come up here and behave like idiots but to make wild assertions that they are herding dolphins without any evidence is ludicrous,” Mr Howard said.

“If it is as bad as everyone says – and as wild and cowboyish with riders herding dolphins – where is the footage?”

He concedes dolphins are “very intelligent” but questions the impacts jet skis have on the local population.

“I don’t know how you tell if a dolphin is scared out of its wits if you are not a dolphin,” Mr Howard said.

Jools Farrell, from the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia says the mammals are particularly vulnerable because jetskis make less underwater noise than other craft and dolphins get little warning.

She said jetskis are fast and erratic and more likely to collide with marine animals or causing them to go closer to shore and become stranded.

Dolphins are often seen from the long span Forster Tuncurry bridge in the crystal clear waters of Wallis Lake or from one of a number of dolphin watch cruise boats.

Jet skis out in force on Wallis Lake between the Forster and Tuncurry breakwalls. Picture: Janine Watson.

There are dolphin logos on businesses and buildings in the two towns, with locals passionate and protective of the creatures important to the region’s identity.

Mr Howard, who is a former jetski owner, says dolphins love the wake of a ski under power and will often turn up almost right underneath skis.

“Unfortunately, there are a group of ‘concerned individuals’ who dislike jetskis intensely, ready to snap a photo (or video) of what is an innocent interaction for posting on social media, in an effort to try and make something out of nothing and get a fun hobby cancelled,” he posted.

Although reluctant to get into a Facebook to-and-fro fellow councillor Dheera Smith said she couldn’t let the comments pass unchallenged.

MidCoast Councillor Dheera Smith.

The Greens councillor said she could not understand why a couple of people on jetskis were able to disrupt the beach pleasure of up to 100 people at Tuncurry Rockpool recently who could barely hear each other speak as the skis drove up and down.

“It was horrid and embarrassing because of the noise and just the whole petrol headedness,” Ms Smith said.

“It was certainly selfish to everyone who experienced it. I will not even go into environmental or erosion issues - the lake should be a marine park, not for jetskis,” she said.

Mr Howard conceded there was a “yahoo factor” involved with visitors coming to the region to enjoy a hobby that has been banned in other areas but says it’s only for a short time.

“For 98 per cent of the year people who want to sit and swim in silence get their way.”

Several dolphin watch vessels operate in the Forster/Tuncurry area.

As an elected representative people have suggested Mr Howard should push for more patrols rather than appear to condone certain behaviour and he says he will approach the NSW Police Marine Area Command for increased patrols during the Christmas/New Year period.

NSW Government regulations state ‘prohibited vehicles’ (prohibited for whale or dolphin watching) including jet skis must not go closer than 300m to dolphins, whales and dugongs.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is the responsible agency and if people witness drivers breaking the rules they should take videos wherever possible to help with investigations that could lead to hefty fines.

To report incidents phone [phone] (13000 PARKS).

Originally published as MidCoast Councillor Peter Howard makes controversial jetski post