The region’s water skiers will be able to ski legally on Lake Burrumbeet for the first time this summer now that a designated ski area has been marked out on the lake.

Ballarat City Council has been working with the Burrumbeet Ski and Powerboat Club to ensure that water skiers can enjoy their sport safely on Lake Burrumbeet this summer.

During the week the water skiing course was marked out with buoys by members of the Burrumbeet Ski Club, while Council installed signage showing the layout of the course.

Council’s Director of Development and Infrastructure, Eric Braslis said a 560 hectare area of Lake Burrumbeet was now open for skiing.

“Skiers will be able to enjoy their sport on a clearly marked course that takes up a little over a fifth of the Lake’s entire area and is an area about twice the size of Lake Wendouree” Mr Braslis said.

“Skiers should stick within the marked area.  Other parts of the lake have a speed limit of 5 knots and contain submerged obstacles that are a hazard for boats travelling at speed.

“Portable toilets are on site for the convenience of lake-users.  They are located on the south shore of the Lake, near Hillcrest Road, which is the main entrance to the Lake’s southern shore”.

 Mr Braslis warned that with Lake Burrumbeet at 150mm above capacity, there was some water over the road in the vicinity of the Burrumbeet Ski and Powerboat Club that should only be traversed in four wheel drive vehicles.  However there is clear access to the first boat ramp on the southern shore.

Ballarat City Councillor John Philips welcomed the return of boating and other aquatic activity to Lake Burrumbeet saying it was good news for the local community and for the water skiing fraternity.

“Special thanks needs to go to the Burrumbeet Ski and Powerboat Club which has provided so much assistance in putting the buoys in and getting the course ready”, Cr Philips said.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the Department of Sustainability and the Environment for providing the funds to purchase the buoys, and the ongoing support of the Lake Burrumbeet Advisory Committee which is such a passionate proponent for Lake Burrumbeet”.

“Council will continue restoration works at Lake Burrumbeet”, Cr Philips said.