Parks victoria has released a proposal to redesign the st kilda pier and harbor
here's a link to the planhttp://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources/mresources/haveyoursay/StKildaHarbourConceptPlan.pdf
By way of an update on the StKilda Harbor Concept Plan I have become aware that the AKSA CEO - Mike Walker - is concerned that KBV are not doing enough to support Victorian kiters in what he describes as processes such as "like lobbying Port Phillip Council against the destruction of the states most popular kitesurfing location - StKilda". We are pleased AKSA is following this event but the Port Phillip Council are not the key players. And as a local resident I am keen for StKilda to retain its kiting benefits.
In the meantime let's put this in context. At very short notice KBV were invited by Parks Victoria [a key player] to view the StKilda Harbor Concept plan on Wednesday 6th August 2008. The KBV Secretary and another Member attended Parks Victoria's office to view the Plan but were not allowed a copy as it was not yet released by the Minister Martin Foley. The formal public release occurred on Monday 11th August 2008.
Once the Plan was released KBV Members were alerted both via Seabreeze [as above] and a direct email to all KBV Contacts, to the public release and asked for their comments. Many kiters attened the two open days at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron to view the Plan as announced on the KBV website.
KBV are presently collating the responses and have also undertaken an audit [paddling via kayak of all pens] of the utilisation of the StKilda Harbor facilities to understand what percentage of pens are used. KBV have also undertaken informal discussions with the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron regarding the proposal as it is primarily centred around improving and expanding their facilities.
Quite apart from the StKilda Harbor Concept Plan, many of us residents are concerned about the level of redevelopment in general to the amenity of the area. The "Triangle" is once such issue.
It is expected that KBV's draft response will be ready for Member Comment by 15th September 2008 as the final submissions are due by 26th September 2008. In the meantime I will seek to obtain a copy of Mike Walker's email raising his concerns about KBV activities.
And if you have comments on the Plan, KBV are still taking comments. The Plan may be viewed at - http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources/mresources/haveyoursay/StKildaHarbourConceptPlan.pdf
I agree based on the attached document this looks like a major problem, and appears to mean the end of kiting at St Kilda as it currently exists. Is preparing a submission sufficient and are there other avenues? It looks like someone is behind this plan that is going to make a lot of money from the upgraded facilities, while packaging up the plan to appear positive to the public - just like the triangle. Meanwhile kiters, one of the main users of the area, are going to get screwed. Whose commercial interests are behind this proposal and what is the probability of the council approving it?
St Kilda is due to have its closure soon,kbv dont do enough to protect the area and all kitesurfing should be moved on... should have protectedyour area sooner...eh?
Photo on page 43 shows a kiter in the inner Harbour.
Kiting will go on, just gustier.
Hey Richrelo thanks for your interest but what are you about? - haven't you read the Concept Plan - it includes maintaining the kiters launch area.
In the long term the area available for kiters may be impacted but to suggest it is the end of kiting at StKilda because of the Plan is just plain wrong. 
From the feedback received to date KBV Members are more concerned about specific aspects of the Plan which will be advised in our submission. In the meantime KBV has a dialogue with the Project Manager of Parks Victoria and the CEO of the RMYS both of whom are heavily involved.
Remembering this is only a Concept Plan and has a time horizon of many years.
Suggest you wait for the KBV submission before jumping to conclusions.
And quite apart from kiters many locals are against the Plan so it is just not via KBV that Members/kiters are lobbying.
Rather than just suggest KBV are not doing enough give us your suggestions as to what KBV should provide by way of comments on the Plan.
i see no reason that this plan would restrict kiting at st kilda?
its about time that area got a make over, i like what they have done already with the section further up.
even though i dont kite at st kilda, things like showers, toilets, air pump... would be good things to ask for.
also it would be a good idea to see if they could improve water quality? its filthy at st kilda!
Just on the topic of doing things for your sport, what have you done for kiteing richrelative. Just a question
i have lived in 3 spots throughout Aus and Mr. Nosey! I’ve kept several kiting beaches safe and liaison with councils.
Laughed at fools who believe that the red tape and beau racy they wrap themselves up in will keep them afloat, time will tell------i guess
lol, Just fishing richrelative. Looks like i caught me a big one though hey.
How about we all adopt a new, more positive out look on things. I think it would do a
certain little 'someone' a world of good. DON'T YOU
I have to say looking at that plan as a yachtie, it's a nice Idea. Club house right there lots of boat moorage (one thing that Aus severaly lacks), place for junior sailing, and a place to work on your boat.
From the public eye you've got a ferry dock at your desposal, a nice pool, and what looks to be a decent park as well.
Looking at it as a Kiter it seems a large chuck of your "up wind" space is going to be taken away, and on top of that they might even put in a comercal lane for the ferry or at the very least a well marked channel for the yachties
Best of luck with it, it's not going to be an easy one.
Highly overated spot. With filthy water......mmmmmm all that storm water running down through Prahran, Middle Park, St Kilda = dog poo soup. Heavy metals ( lead ) in the water already from years of boat repairs and building at RMYC.
Just head up into the pond area stop pull up a handful of sand/mud and have a smell.
Perhaps they should look at a plan to clean up the water quality and beach first.
every time i have kited at stkillda i have been sick 
the water is discusting and personaly i dont think it a great spot to kite at.
Much rather the extra 10 min drive to altona
