Call Out to all Queensland and Northern NSW Windsurfers!
We need your support, without hesitation! Even if you don't or have never windsurfed the area, there maybe one day that you or mates of your might want to!
There are only 2 days left to fill out a Survey Report as the Survey Period ends on the 4th November (so that means there is only today and tomorrow left to do this) being conducted by the Queensland State Government and Gold Coast Waterways Authority on dredging a secondary Channel on the Western Side of the Broadwater from the Southport Bridge to the start of Labrador that is going to assist and promote for Motorised Vessels to use this Channel as a Rat Run to go down to the Gold Coast Seaway and beyond that will cut a path directly through the traditional Sailing Area for some 40 plus years used by the Windsurfers and over the past 15 years by Kitesurfers commonly refered to as "The Train for Windsurfers" out the front of Mitchell Park Southport and "Kfc's for Kiteboarders" out the front of Loders Creek/Len Fox Park Labrador. The Rat Run will be created as the current Main Channel Area opposite to where this Channel is proposed is mainly a 6 knot speed limit zone to protect moored vessels at Marina Mirage and Southport Yacht clubs from undue wash created, that may damage the (poor peoples) Multi Million Dollar Fleets. Which is why this new proposed Channel will become a Rat Run as it is currently proposed that there will be a 20 knot speed limit (Yeah right, as if any Boaties are going to pay any attention to a 20 knot speed limit zone) 
If the Channel goes ahead without any sensible speed restrictions (like 6 knots for Motorised Vessels or 6 knot no wash, Limits at least) it will have Motorised Vessels travelling at break neck speed right through the middle of the Sailing Areas condensed in Channels that are no wider than approximately 100 metres. No doubt the hazard for all forms of passive Water Craft and Passive Water Users of that area would be put at great risk. Please Note: The area of where this Channel is proposed is currently a shallow draft area with some shallow shoals, due to this it naturally has a tendency to keep the speed of vessels traversing or navigating at restricted and/or lower speeds.
Other detrimental factors are:- There are a whole heap of Moored Vessels in the area proposed to be dredged that will be displace as it will become a new Navigation Channel and they will have to go somewhere, that the Authorities have released no details as to what their intentions or plans are in regards to this. For the ones that can't afford Marina Berths there could well be the case that they will disperse and anchor in or near our other of only 2 viable flat water Sailing Areas in the Gold Coast, know as Shearwater at Runaway Bay. (there has already been an effect of large and small Vessels being permanently anchored in that area from displacement from previous dredged areas.
Destruction of known Seagrass Beds in the area of proposed dredging. Vital for healthy marine habitat.
Shoreline erosion from wash thrown off from speeding or large Vessels.
Potential for future justifications of widening and deepening of Navigable Channels once they are in place to increase the benefits and accessibility for more volume of Motorised and Larger Vessels.
Please Note: it takes no longer than approximately 5 minutes to fill the Survey out, you are welcome to use examples of the above for the reasons as to your opposition to it and the Survey is totally anonymous if you have any concerns there. Thanks and greatly appreciated for your support from the Gold Coast Kiters and Windsurfer Brother and Sisterhood 
The link for the Survey is as follows:-
www.facebook.com/GoldCoastWaterwaysAuthority?fref=nf
Done,
good work "Lostin"
and to Phil as well, for getting both sports recognised in the survey.....
Done, not a bad survey but if the boat owners get behind it the results will be bias there way for sure. Important that we all do the survey.
Sailed there today first time its a unique spot. Survey done. Will be a real shame if they stuff it up!!!!
Today (Tuesday 3rd November) is the last day to have your say if you have not already done so! The Survey closes tomorrow 4th November.
For those that have not yet had their say, please do not delay as there would be nothing worse than having the feeling of, "I wished I had said or done something more at the time, when we had the opportunity" 
This is the reason I and others are involved. As we don't want to end up with the feelings of regret we did not take a stand against actions that are going to impact heavily on the environment, increase hazards and/or ruin freedoms of our very limited recreational areas for all environmental low impact passive craft and passive water users of a great and irreplaceable unique area, for it just to become a Motorised Vessel Super Highway and Rat Run on the waterway, when there is little or no justification for this!
To all those who already have participated in the Survey for the "No" to the proposal of further Dredging to the Channel, I and the Kiting and Windsurfing Brother and Sisterhood would like to thank you for your support and conscience. 
