Lake Eildon is the only inland waterway in Victoria where houseboats are permitted to operate and it's Goulburn-Murray Water's (G-MW) role to manage the water storage which includes over 700 houseboats.
The Lake Eildon Houseboat Regulations 2003 are used by G-MW to control and manage the operations of houseboats on Lake Eildon.
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Houseboat Licensing
For more information on Houseboats on Lake Eildon, please visit the Lake Eildon Houseboat webpage
Quick Forms
Lake Eildon Houseboat License Agreement
Application to License, Operate or Leave a Houseboat within the Lake Eildon
Application for Transfer of Houseboat Licence
Compulsory Houseboat Inspection Report
Construction of a Houseboat for operation on Lake Eildon - Information sheet
Houseboat greywater
There are new rules for releasing wastewater from your houseboat into inland waters.
Lake Eildon is the only inland waterway in Victoria where houseboats are permitted to operate and it's Goulburn-Murray Water's (G-MW) role to manage the water storage which includes over 700 houseboats.
The Lake Eildon Houseboat Regulations 2003 are used by G-MW to control and manage the operations of houseboats on Lake Eildon.
Why have houseboat regulations?
To ensure the long term sustainability of houseboat operations on Lake Eildon, G-MW has been working with Standards Australia to develop a new standard for on-board greywater treatment for houseboats on inland waters.
What are the regulations?
G-MW has established a Technical Working Group who have worked with G-MW to determine that as of 1 September 2010 all new houseboats approved to operate on Lake Eildon must contain all grey water or have installed an on board greywater treatment unit that achieves the discharge standards required by the AS 4995-2009 Greywater Treatment Systems for Vessels Operated on Inland Waters.
When will the new regulations be in place?
G-MW will continue to consult with the houseboat Technical Working Group to develop a process and timeframes to implement the requirement for on-board greywater treatment systems to all existing houseboats with the phase in period still to be determined.
What do l have to do?
As a houseboat owner on Lake Eildon you will continue to receive information about the regulations and the phase in period to allow existing houseboat owners to comply with new grey water standards. Over the coming months, G-MW and members of the house boat Technical Working Group will be running a series of information days to explain the new requirements and details of available treatment systems.
General houseboat information
New Houseboat License Labels
G-MW has developed a new Licence Label for the 2010/11 season. The new label has a bar code that is particular to your boat and will enable G-MW staff to scan the label and identify the owner, contact information and specifications of the boat. This information will assist with the upcoming Houseboat Audit process and move to a more efficient electronic recording system.
Unfortunately, we were hoping to provide you with the License Label prior to Christmas but the production has been delayed. We are aiming for distribution around the end of January 2011.
The label is designed to be placed on the outside of the boat on the front window at an accessible location. It is important that owners place the label on the window at their earliest convenience upon receipt. An annual label will be issued upon the payment of Licence fees and replacement labels will be made available at a nominal fee.
Houseboat Rubbish
G-MW is reviewing the management of waste services across all its 16 water storages. There have been some concerns with the management of the bulk rubbish associated with houseboats at Eildon. The service provided by G-MW is for the removal of domestic household, or in this case, domestic houseboat rubbish. It is clearly evident that bins are being used to dispose of "hard" rubbish in the form of renovation materials, carpets, television sets, lounge suites, mattresses etc.
The cost for the service and the number of bin clearances have increased dramatically over the last 2 to 3 years and the problem has evolved without an increase in the number of houseboats on the lake.
G-MW asks that operators and owners take responsibility for their waste and ensure that only domestic rubbish is placed in the bins provided. Please ensure that cardboard boxes are crushed to ensure maximum space for rubbish within the bins.
Houseboat owners should consult with their club or marina operator for all hard rubbish removal and containment requirements. G-MW will monitor the bins over the current boating season and will make recommendation on changes to the present process should current practices continue.
Camping & Fires
Fires and camping are not permitted in any area around Lake Eildon, except in the designated camping areas. Unregulated campfires are not only a potential hazard for bushfires, but also pose a risk to water quality along with discarded rubbish from camping activities. To minimize these impacts, Parks Victoria provides defined areas where camping and fires are permitted. Visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or phone 131962 for further information
On declared days of Total Fire Ban ALL SOLID FUEL CAMPFIRES, PORTABLE GAS APPLIANCES AND KEROSENE LANTERNS ARE PROHIBITED. This includes all gas stoves, gas lights, and gas fridges (including use inside tents). Fixed gas stoves may be used in houseboats with extreme caution. For information on fire and Total Fire Ban requirements visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au (Fires & Incidents Warnings & Advice) or phone the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL): 1800 240 667.
Motorbikes and Off Road Driving
Off Road driving and trail bike riding is only permitted on formed roadways that are above the lake full supply level and open to the public. All vehicles must be roadworthy, registered and you must be fully licensed. Off road driving and trail bike riding is not permitted on the exposed areas of the shores or the lake bed or in the National Park.
Protection of Foreshore Vegetation
With lake levels now returning to areas where considerable natural vegetation re-growth has occurred, houseboat operators may experience some difficulty in accessing popular mooring areas around the lake. Boat owners are reminded that native vegetation is protected and must not be removed.
Houseboat Grey Water Treatment
To ensure the long term sustainability of houseboat operations on Lake Eildon, G-MW has been working with South Australian and NSW Waterway Managers and Standards Australia to develop a new standard for on-board greywater treatment for houseboats on inland waters. If greywater is discharged into aquatic environments it can damage ecosystems, create algal blooms and pose significant human health risks. From 1 September 2010 all new houseboats will be required to have installed a grey water treatment unit that meets the discharge requirements of AS4994-2009 or a means of fully containing all grey water. Further information regarding these requirements and proposed implementation for existing vessels can be found on the G-MW web site
Houseboat Compulsory Inspection Program
G-MW's houseboat inspection program was introduced to ensure compliance with the houseboat Regulations and to ensure that over a period of time, effluent issues that have the potential to threaten water quality and human health are minimized or removed. The program has now been in operation for ten years and has seen all boats on Lake Eildon inspected. The outcomes of the inspections have ranged from some boats getting the ‘all clear' to others being removed and replaced by a new vessel.
G-MW has now commenced issuing a second round of slipping notices to vessels that were slipped up to ten years ago, when the program was first introduced.
Point Worner Mooring Head
The Point Worner Mooring Head (new effluent barge) is now operating as a stand alone barge. This provides access for four vessels at any one time. There have been some intermittent pump issues and G-MW has been working with the Marine Sanitations to resolve these problems.
Please note the pumps are self priming and will pump out at a greater rate than the old barge. A flashing red light on the top of a pump means the pump is locked out and unavailable for use. G-MW would appreciate all faults to be reported to our Office on Ph: 5770 8100
G-MW has had great difficulty maintaining ropes on our barges in the past and will not be installing ropes on the Mooring Head Bollards. We recommend that each houseboat have appropriate ropes made up to suit the individual boat bollards and to secure to the Mooring Head when docking.
G-MW has located the old Effluent barge within Point Worner (well away from the new Mooring Head) and while this is currently not available for use, will be left in a position where we can make operational very quickly should this be required.
Blue Green Algae (BGA)
It is fantastic to see storage levels increasing and recreational users returning to G-MW storages. With the significantly increased inflows there has been an increase in nutrients being washed into the storages which contributes to possible BGA blooms. BGA is a naturally occurring algae and levels can vary over time.
Blue-green algae can be dangerous to the health of humans and animals. People should avoid contact with any surface scum or suspect water that is green or discoloured and musty or earthy smelling. Characteristic signs of algae contact are skin rashes or itchiness; sore eyes, ears and nose; or, if swallowed, nausea or vomiting.
G-MW undertakes sampling at various locations within the Lake to determine the algal status, as part of its routine water quality management program. For information on current BGA Alerts please click here
Regulation Review
Over the past 2-3 years, G-MW has been working on a review of the current regulatory framework to address emerging issues associated with the operation of houseboats on Lake Eildon. Measures being considered are water quality improvements including grey-water treatment facilities, possible introduction of larger houseboats, longer term licences and pricing issues. Most of these issues require modification of the Lake Eildon Houseboat Regulations and possible amendment of the Water Act. G-MW is currently working closely with the policy officers from the Office of Water on the development of a proposal that addresses these issues. It is planned that the draft issues paper be available for further discussion with houseboat stakeholders in the first half of 2011.
Jerusalem Creek Effluent Disposal
To further reduce risks of Houseboat sewage leakage that could impact water quality and to further bolster Houseboat sustainability, G-MW is investigating the replacement of the current Jerusalem Creek sewage barge with a new mooring head with capabilities similar to Point Worner.
The existing barge currently operates with a transfer vessel which needs to travel to Point Worner on a regular basis to transfer sewage to the Point Worner system.
The potential risk of water contamination during the double handling and transport process will be removed by constructing a new mooring head within the Jerusalem Creek Marina area. A new system would pump sewage directly from houseboats via protected pipelines that will link with the Jerusalem Creek Camping Ground's new sewerage system. The Park's new sewerage system is being developed throughout the Park with pipeline linkage to the Eildon Township's sewage treatment facility, over the next 4 years.
The timeframe for completion of both projects is estimated to be by the end of 2014.
Boating and Events on Lake Eildon
G-MW is working with Marine Safety and the Victorian Water Police to ensure that boaters on all storages enjoy a safe boating season over the 2010 / 2011 holiday break. Please ensure that you refer to boating information signage at boat ramps before entering the waterway.
There has been a significant rise in applications for events across the storages as our water level rise to full or near full. G-MW the Victorian Water Police and Marine Safety are designing a process to stream line and ensure maximum safety measures are in place for all approved events.
It is a requirement that application and approval process must be managed by G-MW prior to any organized event taking place.
Dogs
G-MW wishes to remind owners of their responsibilities when bringing dogs onto G-MW recreational areas. There has been past reports of dogs attacking wildlife and also being a nuisance to other boat owners. When a dog is within a G-MW recreational area they must be:
- Under proper control on a leash; and
- Effectively restrained from causing injury or annoyance to people, damage or interference to property and disturbance or injury to wildlife;
Dogs of a dangerous or restricted breed are prohibited from entering or remaining within a recreational area.
Parks Victoria have also asked us to remind all visitors that dogs are prohibited within all of Lake Eildon National Park with the exception of the Parks Victoria camping area at Jerusalem Creek.
In addition to the protection of wildlife Parks Victoria also wish to notify dog owners that a Fire Recovery cross tenure Predator Control program is underway within Lake Eildon National Park for the control of foxes and wild dogs until June 2011. Keeping your dog secure and out of National Parks ensures that your pet does not inadvertently take a bait.
For further information on Parks Victoria on Predator Control Programs around Lake Eildon refer to the Parks Victoria website www.parkweb.vic.gov.au