Address for submissions should be emailed to - rcc@redland.qld.gov.au
(Please note correction to the previous email address containing a typo, a comma instead of a full-stop).
Written correspondence submitted to a Council Customer Service Centre; and Online via Councils website - yoursay.redland.qld.gov.au/
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Below is a Submission Pro Forma prepared by windsurfing legend: Trevor Berrill. Copy and paste the segment to a document editor, format it and then print it out. Fill out your details and sign your copy. Scan it in and email to the address above by 29th August 2019.
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Wellington Point Bathing Area Submission to Redland City Council - Due 29th August 2019
Date:
Name:
Address:
Email: .................. Phone: ...................
Requested changes to the Bathing Area Boundaries
This submission is on behalf of the windsurfing users of Wellington Point Reserve. I/We wish to request the following fair and practical boundary for the
bathing areawithin the bathing reserve,to the size shown in figure 1 and as described below:Outer seaward boundary (marked with buoys out from the beach) be restricted to about 40 metres to seaward from high tide mark. With the 10 metre exclusion zone around this area for non-motorised craft and 60 metres exclusion zone for motorised craft, this would put the outer seaward boundary as 50 metres from the high tide mark for windsurfers and kite boarders.The width of the bathing area (as measured along the beach front) be a maximum of 60 metres. The 10 metre exclusion zone either end would make the total length 80 metres.The bathing area should allow for space at the eastern end of the beach for windsurfers to rig and carry their equipment into the water via the sandbagged area near the concrete steps to the water. (See attached diagram Figure 1).
Context:
Wellington Point Reserve beach area is a popular multi-use area that has been enjoyed for many years by:
- Windsurfers and other small sailing craft
- Kiter sailors (recent years)
- Swimmers
- Fishers
- Kayakers and Stand-up paddle (SUPs) boards
- Jet skis and occasional power boat (although signage said power boats were excluded)
- Occasional yacht anchored off shore.
The area is increasing in popularity as population increases, particularly in spring, autumn and the summer school holidays. Windsurfers recognise that a designated bathing area with lifeguard, within the recently announced bathing reserve, is a necessary action to protect bathers by providing a marked bathing area that excludes motorised and non-motorised craft. It provides all users with access to a lifeguard in the event of injury such as from stone fish, stingrays and occasional bull sharks, and of course drowning.
Figure 1 attached shows the suggested Bathing Area at 40 metres (Seaward) and 60 metres along the beach (inner red line boxed area). The outer red line boxed area shows the bathing area including the 10 metre exclusion zone for non-motorized craft i.e. 50 metres seaward and 80 metre beach length. The long red line to the northwest is the direction of travel windsurfers (any sailing craft) are restricted to in the most common north to north-easterly winds.
Reasons for the Requested Reduced Bathing Area Boundary Limits:
The following reasons are given as to why the size of the current 200 metre outer seaward boundary of the bathing area is inappropriate, and should be reduced to the above requested size. 1 - The area is a multi-use area and therefore must accommodate all users fairly and safely. Too large an area will severely
restrict windsurfer access to this iconic windsurfing location for both launching and sailing near the sandbank in the smoothest water as the tide recedes.
2 - Bathers mostly swim at Wellington Point reserve beach about one hour either side of the high tide, and mostly with high tides above 1.8 metres in the morning.
This is because: -
(a) High tides less than 1.8 metres provide little depth to swim in.
(b) The winds tend to be light in the morning and the water clearer. As wind speed increases, it starts to produce wave action that quickly makes the water muddy and less attractive to swim in.
Therefore, there are few bathers using the beach when windsurfers are most active.
(c) As the tide recedes, the ground underfoot becomes increasing muddy and with sharp rocks embedded in it. For this reason, at half to low tide, windsurfers and other users wear protective booties to prevent foot injury.
3 - Bathers seldom swim more than about 40 to 50 metres from the high tide shoreline. This is partly because stone fish, stingrays and an occasional bull shark are known to inhabit this area. Hence, a larger bathing area will be harder for a single lifeguard to service.
4 - Windsurfers require space to rig up their gear and launch. We mostly do this on the grassy area near the toilet block. So access to the launch area near the sandbagged area beside the concrete steps needs to be maintained for ease of carrying gear and avoiding other reserve users (see figure 1). These areas are also used by kayakers and SUP owners.
5 - Windsurfers' direction of travel to windward is restricted by the most common wind direction, north to north-east. The most common direction of travel is shown in figure 1. If the bathing area extends out to seawards by more than 50 metres such as under the current reserve limits, then around high tide in particular, windsurfers would have to walk over 200 metres from shore
through deep water pulling their gear until such time as they can sail upwind of the bathing area plus the additional 10 metre exclusions zone.
This is impractical and unnecessary as few bathers swim more than about 50 metres from the high tide shoreline.
6 - Windsurfers use this area when winds blow from the east, around to north east and north (the most frequent directions), and occasionally from the north-west, around to west and south-west (winter only). We do not use this area when winds blow from the south to south-east.
Finally 200 metre seaward boundary limit is designed for ocean beaches where the beach remains smooth sand under foot as the tide goes in and out. This is not the case at Wellington Point, as the tide goes out and muddy, rocky mud flats are exposed. No-one swims there from mid to low tide.
Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission.
Signed ...............................
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