Hi all,
I have been investigating issues surrounding the dredging/reclamation and construction of the new boat ramp in the Broadwater around the popular windsurfing/kitesurfing spots in “The Train” area.
What I have found is so disturbing, that I feel compelled to complain to Council and have arranged a meeting with the Council Project Officer in charge of the development next week!

As a keen sailboarder, I don’t want to give up this area without a fight!

I have MY ideas of the problems, issues and possible solutions but would like to represent a “Consensus” from the sailing community so appreciate YOUR feedback on the problems so I can raise at the meeting.
Could you please review the info below, my suggestions and give me your feedback on anything that should be added, removed or changed ASAP. I really need your help.
PS> If you have any images of boat/sailing near misses or general conjestion in this area, I would appreciate if you could email me a copy to: phillip.nott@philips.com

I HOPE TO SEE YOU SAILING AT THIS SPOT IN THE FUTURE!

New Boat Ramp in Stage 3 – Broadwater Parklands Development.


This new boat ramp consists of 4 lanes with parking for 35 large boats with an overflow area accommodating another 55 boats. That’s a total of 90 boats.To bring into perspective, the large boat ramp at “The Grand” has 2 lanes and parking for 25 boats.This boat ramp will inject a LARGE amount of boat traffic directly into the sailing area.

Dredging/ Reclamation of Sand.
The Gold Coast Waterways Authority plan to dredge the WHOLE channel along Marine Parade approximately 40 m wide. They will also be dredging Loders creek to improve access for larger boats.The plan is to turn this whole route into an alternative Passage for boats heading North/South instead of using the main channel. Stage 2 on the right side of the map (dotted line) will make this access even easier.


This boat channel will pass straight through the middle of the sailboarding/kitesurfing area.The Broadwater Parklands development will be used as the “dumping grounds” for all the sand.

WHY DOES EVERYONE SAIL HERE?
SAFETY!This is the ONLY area on the Broadwater where you can sail without having to venture out into the main boating channels risking serious injury.

This is the ONLY area that while busy with boats at times, is relatively free of boat traffic compared to the rest of the Broadwater.

It is the ONLY area open enough to allow sailing in the prevailing strong winds from both the SE and NE.

This area accommodates a variety of skill levels from beginners to advanced. With the shallow water, very little current, and offshore sand banks this is the ONLY area safe area with numerous kitesurfing schools teaching here.

ISSUES.

No Community Consultation.
The only info available to the public for the Broadwater 3 development is a “concept” drawing below. The drawing recently received (1st image) is completely different. The foreshore has a different outline with the Fishing Club in a different position. Which is correct??


No consultation or analysis of the effects of increase boat traffic from the new boat ramp on key users including increased risk.

No information on dredging or advising key users on the implications of such dredging including increased boat traffic resulting in increased risk to water users.

Unbelievably, the current speed limit in the area south of Central Ave, is 40 knots! Will this remain despite the increase in boating traffic and congestion in the area?

Increased boating means increased noise for high rise residents along the whole of Marine Parade.

No provision for Parking in Mitchell Park allowing easy access to Water. (unless you own a boat)

Many people access this area apart from sailboarders. Stand up paddleboards, canoes etc currently access the water from the existing carpark. The proposed carpark is located adjacent to the Gold Coast Hwy. Even without the reclaiming of land, this is an incredibly long way to carry equipment to and from the water.

What plans have been made to remedy this?

Is there a time limit on parking in this area?

Increased Traffic Problems.
Currently accessing the Carpark from either Gold Coast Hwy or Smith Street, is difficult due to this busy intersection. Smith St is the main motorway entry to the area with traffic backing up for a kilometre quite often. Adding a large boat ramp with a subsequent increase in traffic in and out of the car park will cause further delays to this important traffic route.

Conclusion.

There are over 70 other boat ramps located on the Gold Coast that boat owners can use and I am sure there are numerous other locations suitable for new ramp installations. There are also hundreds of other boat channels available for boat owners to use.The current water users of this area DO NOT have that luxury.

This current location is unique as it provides the combination of wind, shallow water, low current and reduced traffic offering a safe environment for these activities. There is nowhere else to go!

Councils’ proposal for a new boat ramp in combination with opening up the channel is jeopardising the safety of the current long time users of this area.

I would therefore like to request a postponement of works in this area to allow proper consultation and in depth investigation to prevent a safety risk to the current users of this area.

Hi all,
I have been investigating issues surrounding the dredging/reclamation and construction of the new boat ramp in the Broadwater around the popular windsurfing/kitesurfing spots in “The Train” area.
What I have found is so disturbing, that I feel compelled to complain to Council and have arranged a meeting with the Council Project Officer in charge of the development next week!

As a keen sailboarder, I don’t want to give up this area without a fight!

I have MY ideas of the problems, issues and possible solutions but would like to represent a “Consensus” from the sailing community so appreciate YOUR feedback on the problems so I can raise at the meeting.
Could you please review the info below, my suggestions and give me your feedback on anything that should be added, removed or changed ASAP. I really need your help.
PS> If you have any images of boat/sailing near misses or general conjestion in this area, I would appreciate if you could email me a copy to: phillip.nott@philips.com

I HOPE TO SEE YOU SAILING AT THIS SPOT IN THE FUTURE!

New Boat Ramp in Stage 3 – Broadwater Parklands Development.


This new boat ramp consists of 4 lanes with parking for 35 large boats with an overflow area accommodating another 55 boats. That’s a total of 90 boats.To bring into perspective, the large boat ramp at “The Grand” has 2 lanes and parking for 25 boats.This boat ramp will inject a LARGE amount of boat traffic directly into the sailing area.

Dredging/ Reclamation of Sand.
The Gold Coast Waterways Authority plan to dredge the WHOLE channel along Marine Parade approximately 40 m wide. They will also be dredging Loders creek to improve access for larger boats.The plan is to turn this whole route into an alternative Passage for boats heading North/South instead of using the main channel. Stage 2 on the right side of the map (dotted line) will make this access even easier.


This boat channel will pass straight through the middle of the sailboarding/kitesurfing area.The Broadwater Parklands development will be used as the “dumping grounds” for all the sand.

WHY DOES EVERYONE SAIL HERE?
SAFETY!This is the ONLY area on the Broadwater where you can sail without having to venture out into the main boating channels risking serious injury.

This is the ONLY area that while busy with boats at times, is relatively free of boat traffic compared to the rest of the Broadwater.

It is the ONLY area open enough to allow sailing in the prevailing strong winds from both the SE and NE.

This area accommodates a variety of skill levels from beginners to advanced. With the shallow water, very little current, and offshore sand banks this is the ONLY area safe area with numerous kitesurfing schools teaching here.

ISSUES.

No Community Consultation.
The only info available to the public for the Broadwater 3 development is a “concept” drawing below. The drawing recently received (1st image) is completely different. The foreshore has a different outline with the Fishing Club in a different position. Which is correct??


No consultation or analysis of the effects of increase boat traffic from the new boat ramp on key users including increased risk.

No information on dredging or advising key users on the implications of such dredging including increased boat traffic resulting in increased risk to water users.

Unbelievably, the current speed limit in the area south of Central Ave, is 40 knots! Will this remain despite the increase in boating traffic and congestion in the area?

Increased boating means increased noise for high rise residents along the whole of Marine Parade.

No provision for Parking in Mitchell Park allowing easy access to Water. (unless you own a boat)

Many people access this area apart from sailboarders. Stand up paddleboards, canoes etc currently access the water from the existing carpark. The proposed carpark is located adjacent to the Gold Coast Hwy. Even without the reclaiming of land, this is an incredibly long way to carry equipment to and from the water.

What plans have been made to remedy this?

Is there a time limit on parking in this area?

Increased Traffic Problems.
Currently accessing the Carpark from either Gold Coast Hwy or Smith Street, is difficult due to this busy intersection. Smith St is the main motorway entry to the area with traffic backing up for a kilometre quite often. Adding a large boat ramp with a subsequent increase in traffic in and out of the car park will cause further delays to this important traffic route.

Conclusion.

There are over 70 other boat ramps located on the Gold Coast that boat owners can use and I am sure there are numerous other locations suitable for new ramp installations. There are also hundreds of other boat channels available for boat owners to use.The current water users of this area DO NOT have that luxury.

This current location is unique as it provides the combination of wind, shallow water, low current and reduced traffic offering a safe environment for these activities. There is nowhere else to go!

Councils’ proposal for a new boat ramp in combination with opening up the channel is jeopardising the safety of the current long time users of this area.

I would therefore like to request a postponement of works in this area to allow proper consultation and in depth investigation to prevent a safety risk to the current users of this area.