Hi All,
From today's West.
Let's be careful of those around us.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/30299786/cottesloe-plan-to-restrict-kite-windsurfers/

Kite and windsurfers may face restrictions at Cottesloe beach after concerns sparked by an incident in which a beachgoer was accidentally hit by a windsurfer at a popular playground.It is not clear how serious the incident at the Beach Street playground was or exactly when it happened.However, it prompted concerns to be raised with the Town of Cottesloe about having kite and windsurfers so close to a playground.Cottesloe council will consider restricting the area for launching kite and windsurfers to between Rosendo and Princes streets.
It is believed the proposed restrictions, if imposed, could exclude a popular spot south of Princes Street, which has been used by Perth windsurfers to rig up for decades.Local laws allow sailing craft and sailboards south of the Cottesloe groyne and north of the northern boundary of the North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club building.
A report to tonight's meeting of Cottesloe's works and corporate services committee has recommended amending the town's Beaches and Beach Reserves Local Law 2012 to restrict the area where sailing craft and sailboards are allowed.
The Kite Surfing Association of WA has been consulted and is supportive of the change, according to the report.The association already recommends the proposed designated area as the best place for kite surfers to set up and access the beach. It does not recommend kite surfers go north of the surf lifesaving club because of the high number of beach users around.
It is understood Windsurfing WA has not been consulted about the proposed changes.The proposed amendment still needs to go to a committee and council meeting before being advertised for comment.
No final decision has been made by council.A report to the meeting said the amendment would ensure wind and kite surfers "have continued access to their preferred location on Cottesloe beaches for set-up and launching of their craft while ensuring other recreation assets such as playgrounds are safe and free from potential obstacles".Breaching the local laws on water craft carries a $100 fine. However, if the proposed change is introduced rangers are expected to warn beach users before issuing a fine.

The person who made the complaint was a kiter

Please someone prove me wrong

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However, it prompted concerns to be raised with the Town of Cottesloe about having kite and windsurfers so close to a playground.

This makes me think of people that move back into the inner-city and then complain to the council that it's too noisy.

The article states windsurfers have been using that area for decades (I've been using it since about 1982), so perhaps not an ideal site to put a playground?

Have just read the Agenda item on the Council website. It is looking to stop anyone launching from north of the North Cott Surf Club. This has been an area where we have been able to sail from for ever and have never had an incident (making sure to keep outside the flags). Great staging point for a run up to Leighton and a blast back.

There is no playground here for kids to get injured by flying gear.

Am more than a bit concerned that the risks presented by kites and windsurfers are being treated the same.

Does anyone have any contacts on the Cottesloe Council we can approach?

I assumed they are talking about the park that is between Beach St and Princes St, about 1.5km (?) south of the surf club.

If so, they can jam it as windsurfing there pre-dates the playground!!

Looks to cover the whole of the beach area controlled by the Council - from south of Dutchies to north of north cott

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<div>council@cottesloe.wa.gov.au

sent.

Here's the info for those that want a read:

Agenda:

http://www.cottesloe.wa.gov.au/d/Resource_Library/Council/Council_and_Committee_Minutes_and_Agenda/Works_and_Corporate_Committe/2015/December/KXDDA6TW9H29ENEEMPTE83EI1ZUWHP/Y7KCUHZWDFWFYE7.pdf/Agenda+December+08+2015+Works+and+Corporate+Services+Committee.pdf?

Attachment 10.1.1:

www.cottesloe.wa.gov.au/d/Resource_Library/Council/Council_and_Committee_Minutes_and_Agenda/Works_and_Corporate_Committe/2015/December/YAMLCGO7U3C4VLY2YXV9G9WT4NRAZ5/MU8UJFH8RNO76UB.pdf/Kite+Surfing+Exclusion+Zones.pdf?


This bit has me a little worried though. When they talk about changing:

BACKGROUND
The Town of Cottesloe Local Law currently prohibits the use of watercraft (as defined in the Local Law) within the town boundary and extending 200 metres out to sea, with exceptions as specified including:

Restrictions on the use of watercraft
Watercraft are prohibited within defined area with the following exceptions
...
d) sailing craft and sail boards south of the Cottesloe Groyne and north of the northern boundary of the North Cottesloe Surf Saving Club building; and

to:

Restrictions on the use of watercraft
Watercraft are prohibited within defined area with the following exceptions
...
d) sailing craft and sail boards between Rosendo Street and Princes Street.

Wouldn't this mean that Dutchies itself is now sitting in an exclusion area? Heaps of people sail there and definitely sail within 200m of the shore.

Way to ruin it for everyone!

^^^ Dutch Inn (closest to Beach St) always had a boat ramp!!!!! The bitumen is still there!
The inconsistencies are so laughable they could not possibly enforce any of this.

as (1)a nice spot to sail (2) good grassed rigging area with (3) good parking for windsurfers and (4) a good winter wave with(5) lots of regular sailers and (6) rarely any swimmers ,could not WWA or a willing member here write a letter for us to forward to the local council. Seems like in methems pool is not much different, and for the amount of sailers in brighton the rigging up area is crap too.
with four rigged sails they're all pretty full.

The latest is:

WWA had a meeting with Cottesloe council last night to discuss the issue raised and possible solutions. The WWA preference would be to move the playground from in the middel of the gf the grass to the north side of tree to consolidate the playground into one area. The council are open to the concept and liked the idea of sign posting the south as a windsurfign rigging area. These ideas went to the council committee and I believe the ideas were welcomed.

Once I can officially provide more info, I will post onto Seabreeze.

The council don't want to ban windsurfers or kites so we need to work with them to get the best solution for all parties. Things are looking good so now is not the time to rattle the sabers. They were even open to creating more parking north of Dutchies so we have a good chance to get a great solution.

I think we should all congratulate WWA on this effort they have made on behalf of Windsurfers.Please maintain it. I think moving the playground makes a lot of sense.
I query if WWA have been given all the incident data held by Cottesloe Council including the alleged recent "windsurfer incident" It would make sense we are all on the same page in this regard.