Below is the email that will be in the inbox or junk of all members. Along with drawings as attachment
Windsurfing Western Australia has been contacted to provided comment on the proposed foreshore remediation at the Cunningham St carpark Applecross. The proposed changes will significantly impact windsurfers given this is one of the main sailing locations in Perth. Please review the drawings closely and provided feedback as directed below.
Extract from City of Melville email
Attention: Windsurfing WAThe City is planning on undertaking some remedial works to the foreshore adjacent to the Cunningham Street Carpark in Applecross.
These works are to address the general erosion of the beach and protecting the carpark facility.
Many windsurfers, kayakers make use of this area for their recreation.
Based on this, the City is seeking comments from the user groups to provide feedback into the design to ensure that the needs of the user are considered.
Please circulate within your registered members and provide the City with feedback by 22 Feb 2019.
Send comments via email to strini.govender@melville.wa.gov.au
While WWA can understand the need for the upgrades, we believe better solutions are available in the areas where windsurfers enter and exit the water. We have also requested the schedule for the works to ensure they don't significantly impact the windsurfing season - note the silt boom which will limit access.
RegardsTim Brazier
President
Windsurfing Western Australia
the detail on the diagrams is too small to read. Is there a link to another site where zooming in might be possible?
I offered to send them photos of what the place looked like 37 years ago, I don't think it has degraded that much. I also asked them to make sure they come down and check the place out during a windy afternoon so they can see how sailors enter and exit the water with expensive, awkward, fragile equipment.
I wonder if ramps would be better than steps. Would stop the sludge building up on them, steps could be a bit awkward to get down while carrying gear .
Don't know if anyone uses trollies for kayaks etc.... where ramp might help .
Select to expand quoteI sent the following email:
Dear Officer
Thank you for the provision of this material as below.
We can confirm that there has been a number of discussion groups created in relation to the proposals.
The general consensus/concern is the width of the said paths and whether steps are the most suitable solution.
The second general issue is whether the sharp edges on the limestone will lead to equipment damage.
If you wish, please meet with me and I can enlighten you further.
UPDATE!!!
Sign indicates that car park will (half) closed from October to December, however webpage suggests it could be until February 2020!
(And to rub salt into the wound, they have put the sign smack bang in the middle of one of the rigging area lawns!)
More details at:
www.melvillecity.com.au/our-city/about-our-city/projects-and-works/cunningham-street-carpark-maintenance
The council helpfully suggest that "During the short space of time access to the affected area is cut off, there are multiple areas north of the site to windsurf"!!!!
If you are a Melville regular and have time, may I suggest that you give the Project Contact a polite call and request that this work be deferred until the peak windsurfing season is over?
Regards,
Rindwider
Windsurfing WA has been in contact with the council on and off for the last 12 months regarding the upgrade works. The unfortunate news is that the dates are based around the most favourable tide and weather conditions so they have no option for deferral. Similarly, they are constrained by government conditions on working in and around the Swan River which also limit their options.
The dates we have been provided have indicated 6 weeks of works and a push to finish as quickly as possible.
In addition to the carpark works, there will be additional native plants planted on the northern side of the carpark. As part of this work, some of the minor walkways through the reeds that have appeared in recent years will be blocked.
In the long run, these works will hopefully improve access to the water and protect the river bank. A bit of pain and inconvenience will hopefully pay off in the future.
