COUNCILLOR Chris Doohan put forth a motion to Port Stephens Council, during the most recent general meeting, asking for Council to support initiating discussions with Hunter Water in regard to how the recreational usage of Grahamstown Dam could be increased.

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Hunter Water control the majority of usage of the dam, in which it keeps a tight rein as part of a management plan put in place to protect the standard of drinking water.

However, the vote in chambers was unanimous, opening the door to at least investigate the possibility with Hunter Water.
Cr Doohan’s wish is to increase recreational usage of the Grahamstown Dam.

His view is for non-motorised leisure crafts to be used on the Dam in addition to the recommencement of recreational fishing and swimming.

Cr Doohan is not the only person wanting more access to enjoy what the dam has to offer, and that is the reason he forwarded the motion to council.

“I saw a post on a Medowie Facebook page asking a very basic question ‘Can someone tell me if I can kayak on the dam?’” Cr Doohan told News Of The Area.

“The post received around 150 comments, so that told me that the wider community probably have similar thoughts on how they would like to use Grahamstown Dam.”

“There are many other dams around the country that are used for drinking water purposes but are still open for people to enjoy as part of an active lifestyle,” he said.

“I am sure that if Hunter Water are willing to look at some of the restrictions currently in place for the use of the Dam, a lot of people will be very thankful,” he added.

The use of Grahamstown Dam as yet another area where the people of Port Stephens could enjoy the outdoors could be very beneficial.

News Of The Area look forward to keeping our readers up to date on developments as they come to hand.

By Rachael VAUGHAN