Hinze Dam Recreation Guide - Seqwater Documents/Recreation... · 4 Hinze Dam RECREATION GUIDE Protecting our waterways & the environment We all need to do our part to ensure we keep

Hinze DamRECREATION GUIDE

seqwater.com.au

We value the unique status of the Gold Coast Native Title Group as the original owners and custodians of the land and water around Hinze Dam.

2 Hinze Dam RECREATION GUIDE

OUR VISION To manage access to recreation opportunities while protecting the natural resources and water quality.

3Hinze Dam RECREATION GUIDE

AboutHinze DamHinze Dam is located in the Gold Coast hinterland, 15 kilometres south-west of Nerang. Built across the Nerang River, it was originally constructed in 1976, raised in 1989, and significantly upgraded in 2011.

Hinze Dam is the main drinking water supply for the Gold Coast region. The most recent upgrade saw the wall raised by approximately 15 metres, doubling the dam’s capacity and providing increased water security and flood mitigation.

The dam has a catchment area of 207km2 and holds 310,730 megalitres of water at full supply.

RECREATION REVIEW UPDATESeqwater is committed to providing quality recreation facilities that everyone can enjoy. We wanted to know what the community thought of current facilities and what suggestions you had for the future, so in 2013 we started a full Recreation Review across our assets. We appreciate the efforts of everyone who took the time to participate in our workshops and online surveys.

While we want to implement as many ideas as possible, Seqwater must remain committed to protecting our natural environment and minimising the risks to water quality.

Changes will be implemented once funding has been secured and all environmental impact analysis has been completed. Progress updates, along with details of the feedback received is available at seqwater.com.au/recreview.


Protecting our waterways& the environmentWe all need to do our part to ensure we keep our waterways healthy. It’s not just our bushland areas that are threatened by weeds, it is also our wetlands, waterways and lakes that are suffering.

Serious aquatic weeds like Water Hyacinth, Salvinia and Cabomba are very invasive and out-compete local species, seriously affecting the local ecology and water quality. Weeds are able to reproduce from even the smallest of fragments or seeds, and trying to control these weeds is time consuming and costly.

You can help protect our waterways from weeds by:

• removing all visible mud and plants from your equipment, boats, trailers, boots, crab pots etc. before leaving

• eliminating water from all equipment before transporting it anywhere, as the water may contain plant fragments or seeds

• cleaning and drying anything that came into contact with the water

• cleaning boats, motors, trailers, floats, anchors etc before leaving. If possible allow the equipment to dry for about five days before entering new waters

• not releasing or putting plants, fish or other animals into a body of water they did not come from. This is an important step to prevent the spread of introduced species of plants and animals into our waterways.

To protect our drinking water supply please:

• leave the facilities as you found them. Do not cause damage to any property, flora or fauna

• place litter in the bins provided

• control your pets. Dogs and other domestic animals can disturb the wildlife that live in our natural areas.

DOMESTIC PETSAs a result of feedback from the Recreation Review, from 1 December 2014 dogs on leash will be permitted in the following recreation areas at Hinze Dam:

• Picnic Parkland

• Pocket Park

• Pathway from Picnic Parkland to the Upper Car Park

Dogs are not permitted on other trails or the dam wall. Dogs must not be brought into the Visitor Information Centre or café area.

For public safety, owners must take measures to control their pets. They must be kept on a leash at all times and waste must be disposed of properly.

In the interest of protecting our water supply, domestic pets and other animals are not permitted to enter the water at any time.


RESTRICTED ACCESS

HINZE DAM

ADVANCETOWN LAKE

GOLD COAST SPRINGBROOK ROAD

LITTLE

NERANG

ROAD

RANGE

ROAD

ADVA

NCET

OW

N RD G

ILSTON RD

GILSTONADVANCETOWN

WORONGARY

MUDGEERABA

NERANWOOD

NUMINBAHVALLEY

Springbrook National Park


Water Intake

WESTERNBOAT RAMP

NERAN

G MURW

ILLUMBA

H ROAD

NERANG MURW

ILLU

MBA

H R

OAD

i

HINZE DAM DAY USE AREA

EASTERNBOAT RAMP

The Peter Hallinan Mountain Bike Precinct

Nerang

River

Nerang

River

Key

Toilet

EASTERN BOAT RAMPAdvancetown Lake

RANG

E RO

AD

RESTRICTED ACCESS

ShelterVisitor Centre

Key

ToiletBBQ


Advancetown Lake

Nerang

River

SpillwayDam Wall

Visitor Centre

ADVANCETOWN RD

Path

RESTRICTED ACCESS

RESTRICTED ACCESS

Playground

WATERSIDE PARK

POCKET PARK

PICNIC PARKLAND

BEEC

HMON

T RO

AD

LOWER BEECHMONT

KeyToilet

Table/Chair

WESTERN BOAT RAMP

Advancetown Lake

Guinea Family Memorial Park


Recreation location map

RESTRICTED ACCESS

HINZE DAM

ADVANCETOWN LAKE

GOLD COAST SPRINGBROOK ROAD

LITTLE

NERANG

ROAD

RANGE

ROAD

ADVA

NCET

OW

N RD G

ILSTON RD

GILSTONADVANCETOWN

WORONGARY

MUDGEERABA

NERANWOOD

NUMINBAHVALLEY



Water Intake

WESTERNBOAT RAMP

NERAN

G MURW

ILLUMBA

H ROAD

NERANG MURW

ILLU

MBA

H R

OAD

i


EASTERNBOAT RAMP

The Peter Hallinan Mountain Bike Precinct

Nerang

River

Nerang

River

Key

Toilet

EASTERN BOAT RAMPAdvancetown Lake

RANG

E RO

AD

RESTRICTED ACCESS

ShelterVisitor Centre

Key

ToiletBBQ


Advancetown Lake

Nerang

River

SpillwayDam Wall

Visitor Centre

ADVANCETOWN RD

Path

RESTRICTED ACCESS

RESTRICTED ACCESS

Playground

WATERSIDE PARK

POCKET PARK

PICNIC PARKLAND

BEEC

HMON

T RO

AD

LOWER BEECHMONT

KeyToilet

Table/Chair

WESTERN BOAT RAMP

Advancetown Lake

Guinea Family Memorial Park


Brisbane

Gold Coast

Hinze Dam


Boats, Bait and Bathers

Boating Boating is a very popular activity at Hinze Dam for fishing and nature lovers. Electric powered watercraft, sail craft and paddle craft are permitted on the lake.

For your safety and to protect the riparian areas around the lake, boats and vessels are only to be operated from the designated launch points located at:

• Eastern Boat Ramp (Range Road)

• Western Boat Ramp (Nerang-Murwillumbah Road)

Water skiing, jet skiing, wakeboarding and tubing are not permitted on Hinze Dam.

Please be courteous to our neighbours. Do not launch, retrieve or beach on land around the lake, other than at signed, designated recreation areas.

All activities on Seqwater lakes are covered by the Boating Regulations set by Maritime Safety Queensland (www.msq.qld.gov.au).

Boating Permits

A boating permit is not currently required at Hinze Dam.

RECREATION REVIEW UPDATEA single boating permit scheme for all Seqwater lakes is under consideration. Any changes will be announced at the conclusion of the review. Progress updates are available at seqwater.com.au/recreview

A designated paddle craft launch point will be established at the Western Boat Ramp following feedback from the Recreation Review. Progress updates are available at seqwater.com.au/recreview

Seqwater will install rigging and de-rigging areas within the car parks at both the Eastern and Western Boat Ramps. Progress updates are available at seqwater.com.au/recreview


Picnics and Playgrounds

Picnicking and BBQsThere are picnic facilities available at the following sites at Hinze Dam.

• Picnic Parkland (Advancetown Road)

• Pocket Park (Advancetown Road)

• Waterside Park (Advancetown Road)

• Western Boat Ramp (Nerang-Murwillumbah Road)

The main Hinze Dam parklands incorporates Picnic Parkland, Pocket Park and Waterside Park. Features include an interpretive walk with interesting facts about the dam wall, catchment, local fish, plants and wildlife. The area also includes picnic tables, shelters, toilets and BBQs.

The Hinze Dam Visitor Centre, perched above the parklands and the lake, houses educational displays, a café and function centre.

Playgrounds Looking for something to keep the kids amused? A playground is located at Picnic Parkland.

RECREATION REVIEW UPDATEAs a result of feedback from the Recreation Review, Seqwater will install picnic tables with shade shelters in Waterside Park. A shade shelter will also be installed over the existing picnic table at the Western Boat Ramp. Progress updates are available at seqwater.com.au/recreview

RECREATION REVIEW UPDATESeqwater will install a shade shelter over the playground once funding is secured. Progress updates are available at seqwater.com.au/recreview


Tracks and TrailsThe Hinze Dam wall is open to the public for walking and cycling – the three kilometre walk/ride is a popular site for people to get their exercise fix.

The main Hinze Dam parklands incorporates Picnic Parkland, Pocket Park and Waterside Park. Features include an interpretive walk with interesting facts about the dam wall, catchment, local fish, plants and wildlife.

The Peter Hallinan Mountain Bike Precinct is located on Seqwater land on the northern side of Hinze Dam, and is accessible via foot or bike across the dam wall. The mountain bike precinct is a network of purpose built mountain bike trails constructed and maintained by the Gold Coast Mountain Bike Club. These mountain bike trails can be ridden by members of the public when competitions are not underway.

Some of the fire trails through catchment land around the lake are available for recreation use. These trails provide opportunities for horse-riding, mountain biking, walking and running, as well as providing links to the trail network within the adjoining Springbrook National Park.

RECREATION REVIEW UPDATEAs a result of feedback received during the Recreation Review, the entrance to the trail network off Advancetown Road will be improved, including increased directional signage. Progress updates are available at seqwater.com.au/recreview


FishingFishing is permitted on Hinze Dam from vessels, as well as from the shoreline of the Eastern and Western Boat Ramps. Fishing will also be permitted from the shoreline of the paddle craft launch point at the Western Boat Ramp.

Please be courteous to our neighbours. Do not fish from land around the lake, other than at signed, designated recreation areas.

Remember the lake is home to an abundance of wildlife. It’s very important to ensure that all rubbish, especially fishing line and hooks, is disposed of properly to avoid serious harm to wildlife.

SwimmingSwimming at Hinze Dam is not permitted.

There are a number of aquatic centres for visitors to enjoy within the Gold Coast City Council area.

Fishing Permits

A fishing permit is required at Hinze Dam.

Hinze Dam is not currently part of the Stocked Impoundment Scheme (SIP) administered by Fisheries Queensland. Fishing permits for Hinze Dam are currently administered directly by the Hinze Dam Fish Management Committee.

For a list of outlets that sell fishing permits for Hinze Dam, visit www.seqwater.com.au or the Hinze Dam Fish Management Committee website.

RECREATION REVIEW UPDATEOn-site signage will be reviewed and improved. Progress updates are available at seqwater.com.au/recreview


CampingThere are no camping areas at Hinze Dam


Restand Relaxation


YES bbqs picnicking walking/running horse riding mountain biking canoeing kayaking sailing rowing fishing dogs on leash (in designated

areas)

NO swimming, scuba diving or

snorkelling motorised boats, skiing, jet

skiing and tubing 4wd driving and motorbike

riding dumping rubbish or littering hunting (of any form) camping overnight stays on the lake taking off or landing of

aircraft (including amphibious aircraft)

visiting outside of 6am-6pm

Do’s and Don’ts

In an emergency call 000 or 112 in poor reception areas

Always be DAM smart when you’re visiting Hinze Dam to ensure that everyone has a fun and safe day.

• Follow instructions around fire safety - if you see a fire call 000 or 112

• Be aware of local fauna, such as snakes, and carry a first aid kit

• Lock your vehicle and don’t leave valuables unattended

• Respect other visitors and be mindful of noise and other nuisances

• Exercise caution as water levels are subject to change and there may be submerged obstacles

• Keep in mind that much of the land surrounding the lake is off limits and must not be accessed

• Remain under 0.05 when driving your boat or vehicle


Events and Other ActivitiesEventsBefore you hold an event at any Seqwater site, you will need to apply for a permit through our website. Please submit applications at least four weeks prior to your event to allow sufficient time for your application to be processed.

Commercial ActivitiesSeqwater is dedicated to providing quality facilities to the public.

We work in conjunction with commercial operators, where suitable, to enhance the public’s enjoyment and appreciation of our natural areas. You can find further details about commercial activities, the submission process and our Commercial Activities Policy, on our website.

Site ToursSeqwater’s educational tours are an opportunity to learn about our operations and the link between catchments, storage and treatment as part of the broader water cycle.

Tours are available to primary and secondary schools, TAFE and universities, community groups and professional delegations, across a number of sites.

For bookings or for more information, visit our website and complete the site tour booking form or email [email protected]

RECREATION REVIEW UPDATEA change to opening hours is being considered for all Seqwater lakes. Any changes will be announced towards the end of 2014. Progress updates are available at seqwater.com.au/recreview.

seqwater.com.au

Hinze Dam Opening HoursAccess to all Seqwater sites is only permitted between 6am – 6pm, unless your permit expressly provides permission to exceed these hours.

Before you visitCheck the public notices section on our website for the latest information on access, closures and conditions before you visit any of our recreational areas.

For any other enquiries contact us at [email protected] or seqwater.com.au.

Please respect our neighboursSome of the land close to the lake is private property. If a Seqwater sign is not displayed, that means the area is not a designated recreation area and you must not enter.