Hi every one at the WAKSA meeting last night the commitee passed a motion endorsed by the WAKSA commitee and the Cottesloe working group to move the kite set up and rigging spot at the phone Box 70 m South to Rosendo Street. This means all kiters must set up and rig their kites 70m South of the phone Box, on the beach at at Rosendo Street or South of that point. We will be putting up KIte NO RIGGING signs at the phone box site. I will also place a map at the phone box of the new kite rigging spot.
SO PLEASE no set of kites on grass at Phone box
No access by kites at phone box
All kite set up ON THE BEACH South of Rosendo Street down ramp.
Please keep clear of the windsurfers
Please keeep 30m away from all beach users.
Please tell all kiters of our new rigging spot and if you see kiters at the phone box please inform them of our move. The WAKSA commitee has only decided to move all kiting out of the phone box area because of the actions of the cottesloe Council to BAN ALL KITING IN THE COTTESLOE SHIRE ALTOGETHER. We feel the Phone Box site has a major kite site is TOO PUBLIC.
There has been talk that the council will require all kiters to have WAKSA membership/ wear tags/flags off kites, or No kiting at any Cottesloe site because of public liability issues. WAKASA is trying to avoid council passimg bylaws to prevent or restrict any kiting in Cottesloe shire.
Please call Jonathan Keys on 040 888 5811 or contact any WAKSA commitee member/ Ian Young/ Ian Grose etc if you need any more info.
Jonathan Keys
Our Ref: E2.2
Enquiries: Alan lamb
4 May, 2004
J Geyer
President
WA KiteSurfing Association Inc
PO Box 275
SCARBOROUGH WA 6922
Dear John,
Kite surfing Cottesloe
You will no doubt be aware that your Association has been in contact with Officers of Council in relation to kite surfing at the beach at the foot of Dean Street in particular the effects on the dunes.
Complaints regarding kite surfing at that beach were received in response to a newspaper article about works Council intended to undertake to protect the dunes there and in response to calls for comments on Council’s proposed beach policy. Among other things, the complaints point to potential dangers to other beach users, people and vehicles on the road reserve and to the problems of kites landing on houses opposite the beach. Following up these complaints it was noted that the activity is contrary to Council’s Beach and Beach Reserves Local Law.
Council has an obligation to enforce its local laws however looking to a solution similarities have been drawn to the approach taken with respect to hang gliders some years ago. Here a committee was formed to sort out the various issues, formulate a set of conditions and make recommendations to Council. Council put the set of conditions out for public comment then gave approval subject to the WA Airsports’ (the hang gliders association) agreement to these. The committee was made up of Council representatives, a representative from the local beach conservation group and the president of the hang glider association. Attached is a copy of the Council resolution that set the conditions.
It is expected that Council would want to see your association meet at least the same conditions it imposed on the hang gliders. It is envisaged that other conditions might include some form of easy identification of members of your association as it is possible that any approval given would be to the association only (as was the case with the hang gliders approval). Our CEO has suggested that we would need to get your association’s agreement that it could meet the relevant conditions set out in the attachment (importantly the indemnification requirement at part 6) and that we not enforce the Local Law for two weeks to allow you to assess this and respond.
I have emailed a copy of this letter to you to give you more time to assess the position and the two weeks moratorium on enforcing provisions of the Local Law will commence after your receipt of the posted copy.
Yours sincerely,
Alan Lamb
Manager Corporate Services
What's this mean? Two weeks for now you need to pay $30 and have a WAKSA membership card to kite at cott? I have no qualms about joining, but what about visitors in town for a few days or coupla weeks who want to go out for a blast? Would they have to become members as well?
(if so maybe ya could hand out a few "guest passes" to crew, like a Golds Gym or something... install a water cooler and a young female receptionist in a tight-fitting top)
Will this affect kiters at woodies or on the river?
Just glad I dont kite there. I cant imagine people adhering to the 200m offshore rule either. After all you can kite choppy ocean anywhere along the coast. Each time Ive driven past and seen kiters out there I cant understand why guys kite there, narrow beach, kites flying over the car etc..
Anyway good luck to the locals there, its up to you guys to enforce these rules.
Shannon
--------------------------------
FIRE AWAY
Here's the attachmentto the Cott Letter:
That Council approve WA Airsports’ (WAASp) application for its members to operate hang gliders and para gliders from the area of beach reserve south of Sydney Street subject to the following:
(1) A gateway, of a type and construction suitable to Council, for access through the dune top fence being installed at WAASp’s expense. The gate way be a minimum of three metres wide and suitable strainer posts be installed.
(2) The installation of signage at WAASp’s expense. The signage to include one positioned either side of the gateway, that sets out conditions of operation and a WAASp contact phone number for complainants use. Signage to be of a type and design that conforms with relevant standards and Council’s policies, and as agreed by Council’s CEO.
(3) WAASp making arrangements with SCCC to participate in annual site maintenance activities.
(4) Any substantial works in regard to beach access ways or signage to facilitate the pedestrian transportation of gliders be the subject of specific and detailed requests. That these requests be accommodated only as agreed by the CEO only where relevant standards are not compromised, and in consultation with relevant community groups, with the full cost to be borne by WAASp.
(5) No improvements to the take off site being made at this time.
(6) The Association indemnifying Council against any loss, damage or injury due to the activities.
(7) All necessary approvals to use the site being obtained from the relevant Government Departments/Authorities.
(8) In the event Council approves further tree planting in or near the landing zones identified in the WAASp proposal, alternative landing sites be found.
(9) In relation to insurance, WAASp to :
(a) Supply Council with annual confirmation that licensed participants are automatically covered for public liability.
(b) Council sighting the annual renewal of WAASp’s public liability insurance policy.
(c) WAASp’s public liability insurance policy to make reference to the Town of Cottesloe and to specifically indemnify the Town of Cottesloe, to the satisfaction of the Town’s legal advisor, against any loss or damage due to activities of WAASp or its members.
(d) Provide evidence that Council is protected against being sued by members of WAASp in relation to their use of the site.
(10) Approval being subject to an initial review after six months and annual reviews thereafter.
(11) Council having the option of withdrawing approval at any time at its discretion without the need for justification.
Carried 9/0
sad it had to happen, but not really surprised. it could be a lot worse.
everyone has had days where the wind drops out and they come in downwind of where they set out. that's bad enough, but to get the sport into more trouble, and maybe cop a fine, would just make a bad day worse.
Perhaps this problem should specifically be raised with the council?
