The issue has risen after Goulburn Mulwaree’s Draft Recreational Use of Council Dams Policy was put on public display in July and August.

A total of 15 submissions from a range of industry and government were received - all broadly supportive of the idea - as well as a petition of 377 signatures organised by the local Tackle World store.

Tackleworld owner Josh Lambert told the Post that electric motors were a great option for Pejar.

“They’re quiet, they’re pollution free, and there’s no wake because they just can’t push a boat fast enough. They’re a good, pollution-free option for freshwater,” Mr Lambert said.

He also said with the Highland Source Pipeline securing Goulburn’s water supply into the future Pejar was now more open to recreational activity.

“Once the pipeline comes online, Pejar becomes basically our fourth string water supply, and not to use it for other things would make it a wasted waterway,” he said.

Upper Lachlan Shire Council has also supported the initiative.

A New South Wales Department of Primary Industries submission promoted the economic advantages of increased recreational fishing.

In his submission to Council, recreational fisheries manager Alistair McBurnie said that Pejar Dam was considered by the Department to be a “valuable recreational fishing asset.”

“The enhancement of fishing opportunities has great benefits to local and broader communities for both social and economic reasons,” Mr McBurnie said.

“Aside from the health and well-being value of recreational fishing a key factor is its economic benefits for local communities.

With this in mind the Department stocks the dam on a regular basis with Rainbow and Brown trout on behalf of the community.”

The value of recreational fishing to the national economy is estimated by the federal government’s Fishing Research and Development Corporation at over a billion dollars per year, and advocates of electric watercraft on Pejar Dam have said Goulburn’s local economy will benefit if the motors are allowed.

But a report delivered to last night’s General Purposes Committee meeting recommended that the Draft Recreational Use of Council Dams Policy be deferred pending a risk assessment of the electric motors proposal to ensure it complies with Council’s insurance policies, and identify what possible strategies might need to be introduced to minimise Council’s risk exposure, and how much these strategies might cost.

Yet with a broad community and government wave of support behind opening Pejar Dam to electric motors, Tackleworld owner Josh Lambert said he was hopeful the initiative would be approved over the coming months.

“I hope it will get up. There’s lots of advantages to it in my opinion” he said.