SAFETY ALERT! Flooding
48%
2024-12-21 13:55:59 DAM CAPACITY 48.00% 32.52M HEIGHT 371,622ML VOLUME
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SAFETY ALERT! Flooding
The main recreation area offers excellent facilities and is open to the public all year round. Framed by the rugged peaks of Mt Castletower National Park, Lake Awoonga is situated a short drive from Gladstone or Boyne Island/Tannum Sands and is only minutes from the Bruce Highway.
Please note that domestic animals are not permitted at the recreation area.
Commercial operators, business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to express their interest in possible business opportunities at Lake Awoonga.
GAWB encourages potential operators to think outside the box. Ideas such as a bait and tackle shop, a museum, art gallery, or other unique attractions are welcome, as are potential food and beverage services.
GAWB is eager to hear from those who can offer something distinctive that would elevate Lake Awoonga as a key destination for locals and tourists.
This could look like a permanent setup, a rotating roster, or part-time operations during school holidays or weekends.
The Expression of Interest process has been extended and submissions must be received by 5pm Wednesday 18 December.
Interested parties are invited to view the Expression of Interest document.
Interested commercial operators are invited to contact GAWB on 07 4976 3070 or via gawb@gawb.qld.gov.au for more details.
GAWB anticipates being able to award contracts to commercial operators in the new year.
Read more in our media release.
A new maritime safety zone will be established at Riverston Bay at Lake Awoonga from 1 July to help keep recreational boaties, fishers, paddlers and swimmers safe from harm.
From 1 July 2024, all motorised watercraft – including powered boats and jet skis – will be prohibited from entering Riverston Bay. The marine zone is approximately 4.77 hectares in size and sits inside the existing six-knot zone.
This new marine zone is another enhancement for Lake Awoonga – which is a much-loved recreation destination for the Gladstone community, tourists and visitors to fish, swim, paddle, camp, or hike all year round.
Marine zones help to manage our waterways, making it safer for people wanting to fish, swim, kayak, stand-up paddle board or just float around in the calm, protected water.
The restricted zones reduce the risk of a collision or near miss with powered vessel travelling at high speeds, and ensure that swimmers, fishers and users of non-powered watercraft can enjoy a calm, flat, and undisturbed water environment that is unaffected by motorised watercraft.
The main public boat ramp and Trevor Burgess boat ramp remain unaffected by the change. That means recreation users can still enjoy using motorised boats, vessels and jet skis throughout the 7,000-hectare Lake Awoonga.
Meanwhile, existing rules still apply for powered watercraft to reduce speed to no more than 6 knots when within 60 metres of:
The Riverston Bay Marine Zone was established by Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), through the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) (Riverston Bay Marine Zone) Amendment Regulation (2024).
The change in zoning was requested by the local community as part of the development of the 2020-2025 Lake Awoonga Recreation Strategy. GAWB formally requested the change with MSQ.
From 1 July 2024, penalties will apply to those in control of a motorised watercraft who enter the protected marine zone. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to $464.
To find out more about maritime safety and Queensland’s marine zones, go to www.msq.qld.gov.au/waterways/marine-zones
The Gladstone Area Water Board proudly acknowledges the Bailai, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang and Taribelang Bunda people as the Traditional Custodians of the Gladstone region. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the ongoing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the land and water on which we rely.
