Fury over Wellington Dam decision

"I will seek to reverse this stupid decision if Labor wins the next election," he said.

The announcement a ski area would be officially gazetted at Potters Gorge from tomorrow came a week after Mr Murray tabled a petition containing 3702 signatures opposing the plan, arguing fuel-operated water craft would destroy the ambiance of the national park and users of power boats and water skis could be injured by submerged obstacles.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the new ski area delivered on a State Government pledge to increase recreational opportunities at Wellington Dam.

"A lot of care has been taken to determine the best location for the ski area and to ensure Wellington Dam is safe for everyone to use," he said.

"The skiing boundary will be clearly marked with yellow buoys and signage will be available on site to guide users."

Mr Buswell said the State Government had carried out a comprehensive review of the skiing area, including two hydrographic surveys and a study of dam water levels to determine the best location for user safety.

Jet skis would be prohibited and marine compliance officers would patrol the area, Mr Buswell said.

Mr Murray said the only consultation he was aware the government had undertaken was "receiving letters and calls from people saying what a bad idea it was".

A boating guide marine safety pamphlet had been released to coincide with the announcement contained Collie Hospital's phone number on the back, which was useful, according to Mr Murray, "because no doubt we'll be needing that hospital, safety is a major issue here".

He said he feared the decision would take the focus off the preferable option of developing Lake Kepwari.

"The million dollars they're spending here could have gone into that to make it a dedicated waterskiing area, and then from that would spring chalets and camping areas and it would enhance tourism," Mr Murray said.

"There might be some spin-off for tourism from this Wellington Dam decision but not half as much as if Lake Kepwari was opened.

"And it's strange that the Minister for the Environment has not said a word in all this when Wellington Dam's in the middle of a national park.

"It's ironic you're not allowed to take a dog there but you can have a V8 ski boat. We can put as much oil and crap on the water apparently, but if a dog has a crap it's a problem. How stupid."

Collie Shire President Wayne Sanford said Council was "extremely disappointed".

While Council had advocated passive recreational use at the site, he said, it had on numerous occasions reiterated its opposition to speedboats and waterskiing.

"When the notion of changing the legislation to allow recreation came up Council asked to be involved in the development of those plans," he said.

When the matter was raised in Parliament in December, then-Water Minister Terry Redman said: "... there is some concern from the local community about whether speedboats and waterskiing should be allowed on the dam. That will be left up to the local community, the local authority and the relevant government agencies to resolve. I think that is an appropriate step. Local decisions will resolve that issue."

Cr Sanford said while Mr Redman implied the decision would be made on a local level, the Government had not consulted Council.

"Weeks ago I wrote to the new water minister, Mia Davies, and said Council was still waiting for that consultation," he said.

"I pre-empted this, wrote the letter a month ago, and haven't even got a response.

"For years we have advocated the opening up of Lake Kepwari and this announcement now makes that seemingly more difficult.

"I ask the State Government, what is the point of saying they'll have any consultation when decisions are just made without it, the minister says in one breath we'll consult and in the next just goes ahead and does it."

Megan Cain, administrator of the Help Save The Wellington Weir From Development Facebook page, said she hoped to stage a peaceful protest opposing the Government's decision.

"If I can go to Potter's Gorge I will camp there, and I know some friends and other community members plan to as well.

"I know I can't stop anyone from waterskiing there but I can voice my opinion, and I will put a banner on the side of my caravan saying 'Save Wellington Dam'."

She said not only did the decision raise safety issues it would have negative environmental impacts.

"A main problem is fuel and emissions from the power boats," she said.

"We had only just started getting black swans on the dam again, I'm really worried about the flora and fauna.

"And they say water is worth its weight in gold, well that water is still viable for drinking and we could be using it."