Here is what I think about these shacks.


Dear Committee Members,

I find it outrageous that I even have to show my written support for the demolition of squatters shacks. Who's brain was shat in to for this disgusting behaviour to go on at both Grey and Wedge for so long. The garbage, filth and sheer low life hooliganism that has been allowed to go on is just amazing. I actually admire the pioneering spirit, creativity and effort shown by these communities, however it is not "their" land, it actually belongs to all of us. And if it "belongs" to anyone, then it should belong to the aboriginals.

What right do a few select people have to claim this beautiful pristine coast as their own, and ruin if for almost everyone else. Seems to me like the lowest of the low have reverted back to the mind set of the conquerors of this country. If Grey and Wedge are allowed to go on, I will build my own shack somewhere in WA and do what I like too.................yea long live anarchy.

Shame on Bernie, a parliamentarian with a shack at Wedge..........for crying out loud.

Nick Streuli

Proud to be Australian

Surely there are heaps of people with Shacks or not who would like to take a side..........some Gov. Committee is asking for what the people think, and that is a good thing.

email them at sveletta at parliament.wa.gov.au

http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/web/newwebparl.nsf/iframewebpages/Legislative+Council+-+Current+Committees

Most of the locals I have met have been friendly. Twice I have seen someone in a boat rescue a kiter getting blown out past the cray boats. up there during the week is great, just a couple of locals driving around and everyone’s happy and helpful.

Seems like weekends and public holidays just attract idiots.

I imagine in the days before jet skiis and quadbikes the place was pretty tranquil.

Fast forward to the bling era and it's not quite the same vibe.

Shame for those that really wanted the quite life but time stands still for no-one. Time to go.

while the "locals" have had it good for so many years i am divided . FI love the fact you can go up and camp in the dunes and then kite all day . But then again when we were up there on aust day weekend we found a nice quiet spot . 3 cars of what i would say were lano locals teens/early 20's brought their pos falling apart bikes up and then tore through our camp at 6am . wasnt too impressed at that . But most people up there are there for the awesomeness that is wedge .

others unfortunately are just given a free pass to act like ****wits .


Personally i think the road going in is a mistake . Although as a day trip for kiting it will become more accesible .

I really like Wedge.
I think the shacks are iconic West Aussie creativity and i hope they remain.
I have mates who own shacks there and also enjoy being able to camp in the dunes - can't do that in MR anymore

Environmentally maybe the place is a bit off - but no less sustainable than some of these new Mcmansion canal developments.

I guess the thing with Wedge is that it is only going to get more and more popular when the road is completed.
it probably is only a matter of time before the place is flattend shacks moved out and a multiplex development moves in.

I think once the Indian ocean road through to Cervantes is open it'll only be a matter of time before the shacks are removed.

I like Wedge & Grey have stayed in a shack at Grey & camped a couple of times at Wedge they are both great spots and very unique.

I can see both sides of the argument but what makes those places special will be lost when its accessible to everyone and the politically correct nanna society take control.

Once its gone its forever.

Now bring on the bloody wind Laurie.............i haven't had a kite in almost 6 weeks

when is the road complete

Must be close we drove along it on the way back from Kitestock this year and had a kite at Wedge, awesome spot.
The shacks are an eyesore, and an environmental disaster for the area, the place is absolutely littered with crap, dumped cars everywhere, dunnys are a hole in the sand, rubbish is just dumped in holes or out in the open. We were told by our WA local/guide that its a petrol head bogan fest and there are always injured being airlifted out of there on the weekends and holidays. There are a huge number of shacks, and not just at those two spots, must be thousands of them. Will take mega bucks to remove them, its unbelievable how much junk and trash has been carted up into those sandhills.

i agree with relative, the road in is a mistake for all. even though no -one can stop progress.
and there's def pro's an cons in regard to the shacks, and i do love camping, kiting and surfing up there nearly as much as i love bogans screaming along the beach on dirtbikes close to our shelter (i pity families who have kids to watch) although credit to the bikers who show respect.
i think the point tho is that yeah there's **** wits up there ruining things but imagine how many there'll be when they can drive their commodore utes right up to wedge's doorstep?
that'll be 5h!t times.

We have a shack at Wedge and enjoy it immensely. Like all shackies we love going up there with our friends and families and have a sense of place. We plan most weekends in advance and we invite workmates, friends of friends, extended families, fellow kiters and surfers. It's an egalitarian experience and a very social weekend. It's not for everyone though.

5 days before the weekend away the core group of regular shackies expect 30 or more 'definites'. The days roll on, the emails start and the 'definites' drop away with explanations such as: "We just found out we can't go away this weekend", because of either:
1) "The weather",
or 2) "Not sure the car can make it up there",
or 3) "Kids have a 'thing' to go to."
Finished by: "We will do it next time you go up".
By the time the weekend starts and we are actually ready to leave the number drops down to 3 or 4. It's nearly always the same type of resourceful, like minded people willing to leave their comforts, have a real experience, get out there by whatever means possible and make things happen for the benefit of each other.

The Shackies love the place and aren't the ones having a once off bender weekend of 4wd/motorbike/bonfire destruction. The Shackies typically despise the show off "Crusty demon" weekend hero unlicensed motorcyclists who tear up and down and make large portions of the beach unsafe for children and dogs.

Because of access via the nearly completed road, the Ranger goes to Wedge often now and because of the Ranger's efforts the rogue hero motoX riders have nearly completely gone.

Every Sunday morning groups of volunteer shackies meet in their tray back utes to start a mission. They drive slowly around Wedge and it's surrounds and pick up large amounts of glass beer bottles and rubbish, usually dug into a pit in the sand, left by people who have little respect for the beach, load up the rubbish that is left behind and take the rubbish to the tip.

I disagree with Gruezi's imaginative take on things. Unlike a typical suburb in the city the terms 'owned' and 'belong' aren't used. There's no nosy neighbour's peering out of the curtains everytime a sound is heard. There is a real sense of community, sharing amd helping each other out. The hard work that has been put into making our shack and keeping it maintained is offered to be shared with nearly everyone we meet. Between the 5 core shackies that share the shack we invite 100's of people up every year. Many people in WA on 'Seabreeze' would know someone they could stay up there with.

For a holiday, many people enjoy a Villa on the beach with a nice picket fence, reticulated grass, TV, and all the creature comforts of home. It's good that people want a holiday such as this. All the towns of the WA coastline cater for these needs.

Others enjoy getting away from the daily city routine, a night or two away to experience the simple things in life, to give some outside perspective on the way their lives are in the city. Wedge is one such place.

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Elroy Jetson said...

Because of access via the nearly completed road, the Ranger goes to Wedge often now and because of the Ranger's efforts the rogue hero motoX riders have nearly completely gone.

Every Sunday morning groups of volunteer shackies meet in their tray back utes to start a mission. They drive slowly around Wedge and it's surrounds and pick up large amounts of glass beer bottles and rubbish, usually dug into a pit in the sand, left by people who have little respect for the beach, load up the rubbish that is left behind and take the rubbish to the tip.

This is what Wedge needs more than being demolished a Ranger to clamp down on the hooning/anti-social behaviour, a clear plan for dealing with rubbish, sewerage and the tons of metal/sh!t already there and some of the less frequented shacks removed.

Its a special place and as such needs to be treated that way.

Good onya Elroy, from my experiences up there the majority of the shackies are mellow peace loving fisho's. You'll see them slowly make their way to the point at sunset for a quiet beer on their favorite fold away. Living the dream.

Its the massive population of crusty bogans from Wanneroo that are the problem here. They have no affinity with the ocean or nature. Really glad to hear the ranger is getting on top of these hoon morons.

I will be sad to see the passing of this iconic unique settlement. I've known it that way for ever. Progress is a fact of life however and resistance is generally futile. I will be VERY sad when I cannot camp in the dunes.

I hope at least the camping will remain for some time to come. Without the bogans of course.

elroy would you like a new friend who won't cancel when it comes to the weekend . :) Infact i could get you about 4 instant other friends who wouldn't cancel as well :P

Although it will be a shame to see them go, time is running out for the shacks.
The new road from Lancelin to Cervantes will see the land opened up to commercial developers who will no doubt have a keen eye on those spots.
Shacks in the shire of GinGin have had a very good run tho.
I was living in Leeman in 1994/5 when the shires of Coorow and Carnamah bulldozed all the shack communities from Cervantes to Leeman.
You can't exactly say that you didn't know it was coming. You've had 15 years grace.

Well well, look at you guys. Don't you realise you're doing the same of what is being done to us?

So if I read correctly lets say most people in these shacks are well behaved and follow rules, right, and then there's a few knobs out there being knobs, trashing the place and ruining it for the others? Now the public is pushing for a ban?

Isn't that exactly what's happening to kiters?

Bit of a double standard if you ask me, gruezi

I happen to be one of Elroy's lucky friends and can only confirm his willingness to share his little piece of paradise.

Wedge is in my eyes one of the few remaining place of absolute freedom!
The opportunity to camp on the beach, an awesome community who cares about the ongoing preservation of the pristine environment and all round best vibe in the entire world.

This little community (no longer expanding as the opportunity to build a new shack is long gone) is providing an escape to thousands of west Australian at basically no cost. In addition, if you don't have the devine luck of having a friend who owns a shack there, you can camp on the beach for free.

Look ahead a few years and they are planning a tourism development thanks to the new road with hotel and of course a camping ground.

A great opportunity for the cashed up elite who can afford it at the detriment of the majority. I happen to have a wife and 3 kids under 10 on a single salary and the paradise will be over

Like 99% of visitors, I have never left a single piece of rubbish in the environment and actually thrive on the opportunity to teach my kid the necessity of cleaning after themselves.

Have more rangers and enforce massive fines to anyone who spoils the area but retain free access for anyone willing to head that way!
Wishfull thinking when we are facing a battle with the power of money.

I will tell my grandkid how life used to be wonderful in our great state.

any photos of this pristine coast

For the last three years that I've been in Lano I travel to Wedge and Grey twice weekly dealing with the two communities. I've had success cutting back the bogan moto X tools, it would be nice to see them gone altogether one day.
When I walk into a camp of 10 guys who have been drinking all day and probably on the gear as well to tune them about bikes, behaviour, etc things have the potential to get very ugly very quickly. There have been times where I will back off and get the hell outa there, I have a family to support and I like my teeth.
Things do have to change and they are rapidly at the moment. The pressure on the area is going to increase 10 fold starting from September when the road opens. There is no infrastructure, dunnies, formal camping areas, etc, etc and my guess is that there will be sh!t paper and rubbish from one end of the coast to the other.
Its a beautiful area and it needs to managed what ever decision is made.
Time to take the rose coloured glasses off.

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e0422713 said...

any photos of this pristine coast

Heres a couple of oldies.

That looks so damn good! I wish we had something like that over in NSW.

Man I could stay there for weeks

It is my view that all squatters hould be removed from the site and their shacks demolished.

Wedge Island is a place I have camped and surfed on many occasions and indeed I have stayed as a guest of owners of 2 of the shacks.

It would be unfair in the extreme if the shacks were to obtain a freehold title of prime coastal land or even a right to squat permanently at that location.

Wege Island is a place for all Western Australians not just a select few who have acquired shacks. The way of life that they have cited as justification for staying is far from an idyll of familys quietly enjoying the natural environment. Widepread vegetation loss from 4WDs, litter, and hooning up and down the beach, is sadly the reality of the area now and this would worsen with improved access.

Far from hereditary rights of ownership, many of the shacks have been sold to property speculators who have hoped that their investments of a few thousand dollars can be turned into a real estate goldmine, should the Government ever be swayed from its long, and I might add well publicised, decision to remove the shacks with the opening of the new road.

It would be my desire that the government through proper environmental survey and community input would create a 'Rottnest Style' holiday village with affordable chalets to be leased on a ballot system at peak periods. There could be provision of a camp site too with shade trees and wind breaks. It could all be powered by wind and solar power and a desalination and sewage treatment plant installed, all resulting in a resort with the highest standards of sustainability. It would have the added advantage of being cheaper to run, and consequently stay at, than Rottnest, as it would have access to mainline services and transport. This along with rehabilitation of vegetation, restricted vehicle access, provision of boat moorings and a jetty would be an inspirational amenity to current and future generations of West Australians wishing to connect with their natural environment

The water table at Wedge is just below the surface, which means in winter the place becomes a lake. The sewage would have to be pumped out and the ocean is going to reclaim the place in 20 years anyway,
I have to think of that shack that got washed into the sea some years back, and the owner dumped car bodies in the surf to stop the beach erosion.

There is a spot just north of Jurien Bay called Sandy Cape, all the shacks were torn down, its been turned into a camp site with a care taker. Dirt cheap with public toilets grassed sites and now for every one.

Stupid Melbournite here, but I know nothing about this place but did it all just start by
people going there and then deciding to build a place to stay? Don't own land, don't pay
anything for it etc?

How long ago did it all start?

Interesting idea. I've often thought about doing something similar. I know places this could
be done on the east coast.

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niall barrett said...


Far from hereditary rights of ownership, many of the shacks have been sold to property speculators who have hoped that their investments of a few thousand dollars can be turned into a real estate goldmine,

Classic one that... "Property speculators". That one gave me a good laugh.

Just to add a sprinkle of rationality to your proposals for more homogeneous 'development' on our coastline. With improved access via the Indian Ocean drive and reduced travelling times, anyone with the intention of making any money on the Turquoise coast from property would be buying, or would have already bought, property with an actual title in Cervantes, Jurien, Green Head or Leeman.

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niall barrett said...


create a 'Rottnest Style' holiday village with affordable chalets to be leased on a ballot system at peak periods. There could be provision of a camp site too with shade trees and wind breaks. It could all be powered by wind and solar power and a desalination and sewage treatment plant installed, all resulting in a resort with the highest standards of sustainability.

"Highest standards of sustainability" = Highest cost of stay per night. Add the word Eco in front of luxury resorts and you can charge European and Asian tourists double.

This semi-utopic sales pitch is offering nothing unique and is merely offering more of what is already available in all coastal towns in WA. It offers nothing to the people who have enjoyed Wedge for many years because they enjoy a life of substance and challenge over a life of fluff.

http://www.wedgewa.com/index.html

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Bnaccas said...

Stupid Melbournite here, but I know nothing about this place but did it all just start by
people going there and then deciding to build a place to stay? Don't own land, don't pay
anything for it etc?

It was simply a cray fishing community originally, the crayfishermen from Lancelin started venturing further North and so to cut costs and travelling time they built shacks and stayed up there for a few nights before coming back to Lano fuel up.

I love the place and have been going there for years, (will never forget some of the New Year Eve partys at the gun club).

Here is a couple of shots that I took on the way home from Kitestock this year.
I was travelling with a Qlder that I gave a lift to kitestock, if you are out there send me your email I have heaps of photo's and some video of the sunset session.
I have only posted a couple of photo's that show the coastline, the shacks are just behind the dunes in the bottom photo.





P.S.
Ok really showing my age now but I spent all my school holidays in our shack at Whitfords beach, right where Darren Marshall (AKS) runs his kiteschool, we were just squatters and didn't own the land (much like Wedge residents), the bulldozers came through approx 1974 but luckily for me my parents bought a place at Lancelin the next year so I was lucky enough to still have a place to get my ocean fix.
I will see if I can dig up some photo's of the Whitford shacks and scan them it will blow the Pinna's crew away, there was shacks right on the beach from Pinnaroo point North right along the bay.

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sebol said...

I happen to be one of Elroy's lucky friends and can only confirm his willingness to share his little piece of paradise.

Wedge is in my eyes one of the few remaining place of absolute freedom!
The opportunity to camp on the beach, an awesome community who cares about the ongoing preservation of the pristine environment and all round best vibe in the entire world.

This little community (no longer expanding as the opportunity to build a new shack is long gone) is providing an escape to thousands of west Australian at basically no cost. In addition, if you don't have the devine luck of having a friend who owns a shack there, you can camp on the beach for free.

Look ahead a few years and they are planning a tourism development thanks to the new road with hotel and of course a camping ground.

A great opportunity for the cashed up elite who can afford it at the detriment of the majority. I happen to have a wife and 3 kids under 10 on a single salary and the paradise will be over

Like 99% of visitors, I have never left a single piece of rubbish in the environment and actually thrive on the opportunity to teach my kid the necessity of cleaning after themselves.

Have more rangers and enforce massive fines to anyone who spoils the area but retain free access for anyone willing to head that way!
Wishfull thinking when we are facing a battle with the power of money.

I will tell my grandkid how life used to be wonderful in our great state.

Its not really about whether the majority of people who have shacks are good people, and I'm sure they are. Its not about how you or I see the world, how fair or unfair the system of democratic capitalism is. Nor is it about how many kids and how much income you or I have.

Its about the real rules of the society we agree to live in and for the most part they are rules that are designed to make access to public lands equal for all and they are designed to make sure that those public lands and the environment are looked after for future generations.

When you say put more rangers on to enforce OUR societys rules, who pays for that?
When you say that you never leave any rubbish, did you really bag, bottle or bin all your daily p1ss and sh1t, and take it out of there with you?
Do all the people that own shacks take everything they bring in, back out?

Sure did not look like it when I visited and we had a good look around both places.
Some people think digging a shallow hole and burying rubbish and sewerage is taking care of it - WRONG!

Stockton dunes here in NSW are awash with the rubbish left behind and buried some time ago by some camper or squatter, and now uncovered by the prevailing winds and the "walking" of the dunes. It is a massive problem, and its much much worse at wedge and greys, where the squatting/camping has been going on for so long with a high water table too.

Burying sh1t is not the answer, the dunes and the coast are for everyone, right now you cannot just camp anywhere, there is a massive area that is now out of bounds to anyone except shack owners, and the ground up there is being totally screwed and will cost all taxpayers a humungous amount to be cleaned up.

Is that fair for all? We can't live in the past, times change and so we have to adapt and makes sure there is something left for future generations and also look after the environment now.

The shack we stayed in had a flushing toilet and a septic tank that i believe is emptied every so often.
It also has electric - run by solar
Hot water/cooking facilities - gas bottle
Running water by rainwater tank.
In fact its more sustainable than my house.

To turn Wedge into Rotto - that is another tourist village along the coast just like any other would be a crying shame.
Things certainly need to change there, but when they change, change them for the better.

the only stuff i leave behind at wedge is a small amount of organic waste buried in sand dunes . How is having a dump bad for the environment KP ?

rubbish yes, dunes being torn up by bogans yes , small amounts of human waste buried no .

Forget the Rottnest style village, that is a terrible idea. A camping ground at the most is what I would like to see. One that would still require 4WD access, hopefully.

Keep it simple and low key.

I personally have been dreading this new road going in. The charm of wedge was the fact that it was hard to get to. It adds to the romance of the spot. Local conditions at various times of the year determines the route you could take to get in. Hell, it is why I bought a 4WD, simply because I wanted to go there.

Wedge is ALREADY for ALL West Australians, always has been, for ever! You could always go there, just took a little more effort. Those that made the effort were rewarded, simple.

For my friends and I who have been heading up to wedge for a lifetime, whom have never had shack access, have never had a problem with the shacks or the people who stay in them. They have never stopped us from going to or enjoying the area.

Pulling the "environmental" card just doesnt sit right in my books. Sure its no Daintree, but remove the shacks, then improve access for "all" West Australians is no way forward in terms of the environment. Developers can have the best intentions for the environment going forward but its the number of people who will use the area (remember the average joe public just doesnt give a fek) who will ultimately determine environmental impact.

A Rotnest style holiday village!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You must be kidding, right????
Who the hell can afford a holiday in Rotnest?
With the cost of the boat, resort and over expensive supplies, Rotnest is a minimum $500 week end for a family.

The government don't really want you to know that it is an elite holiday resort and less than 1% of locals actually go to Rotnest for a holiday appart from the occasional day trip when family visits for the WOOOAAAHHH factor. And yes, your tax is maintaining the island ,refurbishing the accomodation so the cashed up ones can have a blast.

Maybe the cottesloe kids and overseas tourist love our great island but ask anyone from suburbia if they holiday in Rotnest?

Access to public land equal to all????????????
How more equal could it be than the way it is now????
It is FREE for all to go there, enjoy the beach and camp on the beach if they want!
Are you the full can of coke or what?

I realise that I am arguing a lost battle here, unfortunately jealousy and greed will prevail but I won't join the sheep flock that is screaming for the right to lose their freedom and join the resort lifestyle

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dusta said...

the only stuff i leave behind at wedge is a small amount of organic waste buried in sand dunes . How is having a dump bad for the environment KP ?

rubbish yes, dunes being torn up by bogans yes , small amounts of human waste buried no .

Actually, human turds are not that good for the environment. That's why we don't just pump sewerage straight into the ocean anymore. As we have learnt more about the impact of our activities on the environment, the way we treat the environment has to keep up with our new levels of understanding. When you "bury your cable" it doesn't break down very quickly, and I bet nobody marks the spot as "foul ground" so there probably is a very real chance of you uncovering someone else's handiwork when you dig yourself a hole. It's not so bad if you set up a long drop for many people to use, but most people wouldn't bother with that and would do a cat scratch in the ground.

If people were serious about keeping this area pristine, the installation of some of those composting toilets would go a long way. I have used composting toilets at Meredith Music Festival - just put a scoop of sawdust in to "flush" and they were the best toilets I have used at a festival. And I have been to many.

Australia could do worse than look to NZ and how through the provision of "DOC" campsites cheap holidays in the outdoors are made accessible to everyone. Some of these free campsites are located in the most spectacular locations.

It's all well and good to provide improved access to sites such as these but it is extremely short sighted not to improve the facilities that will need to be provided with the increased volume of visitors. It's basically doing a half arsed job of it.

I have never been to Wedge but it sounds like a relic of WA when the population was much smaller and our level of understanding about how our activities impact on the environment was smaller too.