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."

Who's going to police it, its directed at boats and jet skis, I'd imagine

im pretty sure that speed restrictions don't apply to sail powered craft (thats us)
i've been blasting around in 8 knots zones for ages in my moth and the cops just stop and watch then leave eventually.
and even if you do get pulled up just play dumb and say you wont do it again.

We faced similar problems in Victoria in Port Phillip Bay and Inverloch. In Port Phillip bay they seperated the Wind Sports from the Powered craft and set up "Windsport Zones" In Inverloch it was a little more difficult as they lumped all water craft powered and non powered into one category. DO NOT ignore it as you may find your favourite windsurfing spot will be taken away from you. You need to attend meetings and make your voice known.
Once the zoning is in place it is very difficult to change. Police and Department officials have been out practising with speed guns on the water and on the shore in Victoria and whilst no one to my knowledge has been pulled up at some point in time they can choose to enforce it.

In Port Phillip Bay - Windsurfing Vic took up discussions with the relevant authority and in discussions a number of Windsport zones were established around Port Phillip Bay. I believe a number of these zones were put in place but the relevant Government authority has gone slow due to lack of funds.

At Inverloch we approached it from a number of points

Safety - a windsurfer is more manouverable and in control when planning at speeds greater than 5 kts. Windsurfers need a safe entry and exit through the 5(in Vic) knot speed zones to the unrestricted speed areas. Beginner windsurfers need safe areas to practise water starting that are close to the beach and will often travel beyond these speeds in the process of learning.

Natural environment - Tide speeds and waves can often propel a windsurfer at speeds greater than 8 knots without wind.

Get Windsurfing WA onto the case and develop a strategy to handle it

Good words Old Salty.

Windsurfing WA have put a call out to people with local knowledge to assemble and attend the upcoming forum on the 8th August. WWA would be really pleased to hear any ideas for strategy and volunteer of support at;

info@windsurfingwa.org.au

This forum is as good as, too!

Update...due to an overwhelming response from concerned members of the public wishing to continue using the proposed areas of restricted use, the department of transport has amended their proposal to restrict the use of powered craft only, leaving wind and paddle craft free continue using these areas.

Great work all!!

Great news guys! did WAKSA have any input too?

Well done to everyone who made the effort to put our point of view, and thanks Dept of Transport for listening!

I rang the Mandurah branch of DOT today, and was told the old law would have applied to windsurfers, but they are now changing the law to only apply to powered craft. No mention of what caused the change, made it sound like it was all their idea. Still alls well that ends well.