It has been mentioned that Clarence City Council may put forward to MAST a proposal to redevelop the access of Honeywood Drive into a boat ramp and parking area. This would obviously have a huge impact on windsurfing, the main users of this part of the lagoon (basically we would have no hope of using this fantastic area). It was suggested that a representative of Windsurfing Tasmania write to MAST expressing the windsurfing communities thoughts/concerns.
Why the council would want to do this is beyond me, why not upgrade the existing boat launching area on the spit?! I'm sure the locals of Honeywood Drive wouldn't appreciate this amount of heavy traffic in their secluded area, doubt the road would handle it! The channel is already getting narrower and I doubt boat owners would like getting their boats in/out the way the wind funnels through, great fun on seabreezes for them!
Just spoke to Peter Hopkins at MAST. We need to keep our eyes on the Public Notices in the Mercury over the next few weeks. Part of the Development Application process is for ojections to be lodged after it is made public, thiss will be in the next few weeks.
Hopefully the movers ad shakers of windsurfing Tasmania can band together to oppose this application.
We need to talk to local residents as well.
I'll be approaching local Alderman aswell, but obviously at some stage this will need to be done by WT as an incorporated body.
I spoke to Clydie boy about it and he's keen to help save the lagoon, he thinks it's a beautiful place and a fantastic place to learn to sail.
Happy to help as much as I can to save our Pond.
Save Ralphs Bay round two.
In the fishing comp we need to catch a spotted hand fish.
I have seen only one of the endangered rays this year (The Scary Ray frightenus) and a (Cremorneus lagoonus Flatheadus) they are much endangered and need our protection and the mighty Oysterbarstardus as well.
Any support you need Kaleb and Jodis.
Save our Pond!!!!
Any details on the proposal?
If they just want to improve the boat ramp near the slipway, and flatten out a parking area there, then that will not affect us at all. I'd doubt they are suggesting that everyone who usually launches at the spit would want to launch in the lagoon. A nice boat ramp for the 4 or 5 tinnies that usually launch there most weekends wouldn't affect us, as they'd launch there anyway. And they'd probably improve the access track.
Anyway, lets see the proposal before jumping the gun.
We will certainly be looking closely at the development application when it is made public, and doing our best to ensure the safety for non powered water users and current levels of access are sustained.
There is a small group currently working on this issue and liasing with other members of the community to gauge public views on the matter. When the time comes for Windsurfing Tasmania to be involved we shall address the committee then, until then sit tight and if anyone wants any info you can pm or call me.
I thought the matter was obvious, Developing Honeywood Drive as a major lauching and access area for powered boat users to Frederick Henry Bay. The 'Public" refers to all those that have current common interest in the area as a safe clean and uncongested waterway. Windsurfers, Kiteboarders, Local Residents, Oyster Growers etc.
If the proposal gets the go ahead we need to ensure we have had our input and at least continue to have the same level of access that we currently have and all safety issues are raised.
Currently the ramp at Honeywood is not a public launching area, the development will mean an undisclosed number of boats using the ramp and water way. Good or bad, thats up to your own opinion and what suits your interests.
hi guys,
There are currently planning notice's up around cremorne, as there is a plan to put a pontoon in at the spit, I have heard 2nd or 3rd hand that there have been some concerns mentioned from residents about increased traffic through cremorne,and also from boaties about high tide access. This is I believe the reason for the honeywood proposal.
PS
while I'm dead against anything that increase traffic in the lagoon (particularly pole dancers) it is a 5knot area, and a boating channel.I say we ban anyone that cant carry their gear to the lagoon from their house.
Kaleb I will contact a friend of ours who lives in Honeywood Drive and has been fighting this for about three years, they will have a good idea what the proposal might be.
Mat Stirling raised it with us Wed at Prossers. It is his opinion it was a fairly major development with a large carpark to cater for all the extra traffic.
My view it will have significant impact on the beauty of the area as well as increased power boats in the channel.
It is a very special area, that's why the locals have been oposing it, do they want this grassland looking like the Dorans Rd carpark? I don't think so.
Just to set the record straight, quoted from MAST 27 January 2011, "Pipe Clay lagoon is a 5 knot speed restricted area for powered water craft, windsurfers are not resricted by this limit'. Sorry Marc!
