Those who like to sail on the estuary should pay attention to this noticed issued today by the DPI (Dept planning and inf.)
There are some disturbing ideas,
"On the Peel Estuary a 5 knot area is proposed within 360 metres of the foreshore to improve safety for paddle craft and an expansion of the existing water ski area is being considered."
Given that during the hundreds of times I have sailed there I have not actually seen anyone waterski-ing it will be disappointing if certain flat water areas are restricted to well lobbied for but largely non existent waterskiers.
Full piece is here..
www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/MAR_P_2013-07-26_Mand_AUR_ms.pdf
The forum date is 8th August.
As you can see , just about all the speed spots on the estuary will have a 5 knot limit. They intend to bring in the restriction by the end of the year.
Given windsurfers make up a large proportion of the estuary users it is important to let Mark Briant know your feeling about his intentions.
"DoT will hold on open public forum on Thursday 8 August 2013 at the Mandurah Marine Operations Centre at 107 Breakwater Parade, Mandurah between 5pm and 7pm. To nominate your interest in attending the forum contact Mr Mark Briant, Manager, Navigational Safety and Moorings on 9431 1026."
For comparison this is the current limits which are basically restricted to closed waterways.
That is bullsh1T - a public forum that not everyone can go to, is not consultation.
No written submissions..????!!!
Their general feedback form on the web:
www.transport.wa.gov.au/aboutus/20001.asp
Noone is going to waterski in 15kt+ winds. If they want to restrict windsurfers to allow waterskiing, it can be done so neither party is affected - > 15kts it's a windsurfing zone <15 its for skiing. They do a similar thing in Hookipa (?) with surfers & windsurfing. I think.
Despite Mike saying he had been reassured on the phone the restrictions were for powered craft only I turned up at the forum to make sure. It is always comforting to hear it face to face and you know who to hassle if it doesn't work out the way they told you it would. Interesting, they told me, it is only this year that they made a distinction between powered and non-powered craft. If they had introduced the speed restrictions last year it would have included windsurfers!
