My windsurfer buddies told me the kiter cops were at wello earlier this week. What was the problem?
AND
is the current rule to still set up below the high water mark?
has anyone been in contact with council recently?

As far as I know, the rule has not changed. As Neill said it's a stupid rule, but the council made it and we have ot live with it.

Rules only applies to kiters

Legally I do not believe the council has any rights to stop anyone kiting or windsurfing recreationally. But what the council lays out in their bylaws goes as far as their books is concerned, well, until someone challenges it anyway. Similar to the Noosa case, they cannot physically ban kitesurfing on a recreational basis unless they have specific grounds to do so. There is a signage at the top of the hill that specifically says kiteboarding gear prohibited in the Redlandshire reserve, and by the water's edge on the beachside, there is another sign that says no watercraft of any kind allowed. Now my interpretation of watercraft include kayaks, dinghies, jetskis, boats, windsurfers, kitesurfers and so on.

When someone was challenged like a few days ago, did anyone ask if they are also going to get rid of the windsurfers and any other crafts that may be in the reserve at the time also?

The council's jurisdiction lies above high level mark, so as long as you rig below such mark, you should have no drama.

At the end of the day, everyone has the same right to use the area. Be considerate, and make sure you dont create any hazards to anyone. Laying out the lines across that little small beach is simply irresponsible as everyone (swimmers, windsurfers or just people walking on the beach) need to tread over your lines to get out to the water. People who are non kiters will not be aware of your lines being there and certainly wont be aware of the risk if they get caught and trip over. Kids, dogs etc often run along the beach or into the water and you are just asking for trouble laying your lines across there.

Just wait till you have enough space and rig on the sandbank, launch and land away from people and obstacles. If you are that desperate to get out, get a turbo launcher. You can walk out to the water with the kite inflated and connected with all the lines still on the bar. Then once you reach clear area, simply let the lines out and launch. You are not putting anyone at risk then and we can all enjoy the sport without any concerns.

I completely agree re: launching away from people.

My issue is that fact that i could be fined for inflating or deflating my kite on the grass! A turbo launcher is not going to get you around that.

Indeed there were Council representatives at Wello on Tuesday. No fines were issued but had those who had not yet launched (there were only 2 kiters out by then) launched, they would have been fined.

I understand that, essentially through the good offices of the Moreton Bay Kitesurfing Club (MBKC), Redland Shire may ease the restriction soon - but I don't know them and I wouldn't want to preempt council in any case. Hopefully this will be clarified soon. It won't make everyone happy and will entail restrictions....but fewer than are currently imposed.

I'll leave MBKC office bearers (eg Michael Bishop, Graeme Watson...) to comment further/officially. My own view is that, notwithstanding the no gear in the reserve rule, kiting safely is the key. That mostly entails being sensible about launching and landing (but also perhaps not so many tricks so close to the rock wall by some....). Using the beach for rigging, launching and landing when there are few people (ideally none) around can be safe as long as other users are treated well. For example, if there are young kids around, stay away or speak to their parents first so they know what you are doing. At high tide, and particularly on weekends, my advice is just stay away. Now that we have northerlies, go around the corner to Thorneside or Birkdale. If you particularly want to kite at Wello, just tack upwind then do a downwinder when it's time to call it quits. (If you're a beginner and can't tack upwind, then all the more reason not to be launching in a potentially dangerous situation.) As to alternative launch sites in a south easter....nowhere I know of, I'm afraid.

Ref some of Padi's comments.
(a) I think Council does have the right to enforce the by-law which precludes bringing kite gear onto the reserve. That is in fact the restriction. Kiting at Wello is fine...but bringing kite gear onto the reserve in the first place is banned. The belief that pumping (if you have to do that) and rigging below high tide mark is acceptable is commonly held & seems reasonable; moreover, this is typically the way in which council enforces the rule. I understand that only one attempt to fine people has been made over the last 12 months or so (though I stand to be corrected).

(b) Comparing kiting to windsurfers and other craft is a furphy. Council's quite legitimate concern arises from safety issues that are kite specific. I was wondering about that "no watercraft" sign at the beach a couple of weeks ago when I rowed by tiny inflatable boat ashore...but that's not the issue for kiting.

(c) Although high tide mark is the normal limit of council jurisdiction, I've been told that Redland Shire does in fact have jurisdiction, through a special arrangement with the Qld Government, to the tidal flats.

(d) The ban at Wello is Wello specific. Redlands Shire has no restrictions at, for example, Thompsons Beach, Thorneside, Birkdale etc.

thanks everyone. pete