![Holistic approach to Williams River repair Holistic approach to Williams River repair](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/KRM77tP3akqwSNbwmEzAg5/36aa2cae-b59d-4c5e-84c7-579c8324b3ea.jpg/r0_160_3088_1897_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A study pointing the finger at boats being the key contributors to riverbank erosion along the Williams River has not addressed the social and economic impacts such restrictions would have on the local economy.
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Hunter Water, Transport for NSW and the Roads and Maritime Service are the three key stakeholders in the study.
Clarence Town resident and engineer Brian Farmer, who lives on the banks of the river at Clarence Town, has taken those government bodies who commissioned the study to task over the findings.
Mr Farmer has said the study, carried out by the University of NSW’s Water Research Laboratory, is poorly put together and its stated conclusions unsustainable.
Mr Farmer is also concerned about the social and economic impacts of restricting boating activities in particular areas.
He said these factors needed to be taken into account given that the tourism revenue generated by these activities could make a significant contribution to local and regional economies.
His concerns do not stop there.
No indicators are stated in the report to evidence any diminishing water quality.
The report also takes the position that whatever the problems with the river, they can likely be fixed by banning power boat activity.
Hunter Water said it had more than 25 years’ worth of data showing the water quality in the Seaham Weir Pool was declining and that erosion of the riverbanks was a primary cause of water quality decline.
It also said research shows that high-powered boating, sparse vegetation and stock access were primary causes of the erosion.
Boaties who use the Williams River cherish that environment, its unpolluted waterways and respect its landscape.
It would be detrimental to their sport to produce huge wash, to litter, or contaminate the water and surrounding environment.
It’s the beauty, the geography and the conditions of the Williams River that keep them coming back.
Banning boats is not the answer to rehabilitation when the erosion problem is caused by a myriad of issues.
Cattle, flooding, wind and yes, to a lesser degree, boating may all contribute to the deteriorating banks.
However, with so many factors to consider, there needs to be a more holistic approach towards preserving this piece of Port Stephens paradise.