The newly established Bathurst Tournament Water Ski Club (BTWSC) had written to Bathurst Regional Council seeking a letter of support to utilise a section of the Campbells River, upstream of Chifley Dam for the sport.

For the club to be able to use the dam, it must obtain an aquatic licence from the state government. Since council owns the dam infrastructure, a letter of support is required to be a part of the application.

Only one objection came to light during the consultation process, that coming from adjoining landowners, who did not want to see a slalom course in the proposed location.

In their letter to council, the landowners said they were objecting due to "the adverse effect on other water craft stakeholders that may not necessarily have been canvassed by the BTWSC and the effect on ourselves".

READ ALSO: Letter | Skiers should find another spot if they plan to install slalom course

But despite their objection, councillors were willing to back the new club with a letter of support.

"I think this is a fantastic opportunity for water sports here at Bathurst. The studies have been done ... I don't think it's going to really destroy the lives of people that live in the vicinity of this area," councillor Alex Christian said.

"It is a public waterway and I believe 6.5 kilometres away from the main water area that people use, so I think we should do everything we can to support this group."

Cr Bobby Bourke said it was great that the club wanted to operate at the dam.

"In my term on council, I've always proposed to have more things going on out at the dam. This is adding on to what is going on out there now," he said.

Council resolved to support a 12-month trial of the sport at the dam, should Transport for NSW grant the licence.

The club's operation on Chifley Dam during the trial period will only be for its own direct members.

Following the trial period, consultation must be carried out with stakeholders to determine if there are any concerns regarding the course at the dam.

Once the consultation has been completed, a further report be presented to council for its consideration as to whether the club operation should continue.

The club's secretary, David Clyburn, spoke at council's public forum last Wednesday and told the chamber that having the slalom course at Chifley Dam would enable local water skiers to improve their skills.

"We've seen good support in the community thus far and we're excited for the opportunity to grow the sport," he said.

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