I just completed the survey....interesting.

The reference to kitesurfings affect on migratory birds is from 2005. Source over 5 years old is not very professional.

Good luck with it people....I'll be 12,000km away from all this bullsh1t

Filled in the survey.It would be a great pity if kiting was effected in these areas, we cant let it happen.

Just completed the survey for both Maroochy river and Pumicestone passage.

There's no doubt it's getting busier on the Sunny coast these days, but I say "Down with the Nanny state and let natural selection take its course".

Only 12000kms!!!

Hey Luke - I wouldnt disagree with good regulation. I have been involved in the teams who have saved access to a few spots over time - Noosa, Cottesloe, and Semaphore, Byron Bay, St Kilda and others and the drive to restrict access is almost always coming from one or two people who have the wrong idea or impression of kitesurfing. Good regulation is good.

The problem is this council have a track record of not just doing bad regulation, but appalling regulation. This is stage 1 - to determine the need - if they think from this survey there is a need, then they will regulate. I would say there is then a very high chance they balls it up again and it would be likely that they conclude Cotton Tree and Happy Valley are very popular bathing spots, and important boating channels and it is not suitable to have kitesurfing there.

I think its very naive to believe what the politicians or beaurocrats say, particularly on the phone. last year, I spoke to them on the phone regarding the commercial regulations they put in place and was told (amongst other things) that the tenders would be announced in their newsletter so thats how to keep in touch (they weren't), I was told that operators track record and safety would be a major part of their comparison, it wasn't. I was told on the phone that money would not be the determining factor in decision making - i did become that. I was told they would do their best to correct their balls ups - they did nothing. Nearly every phone conversation i had contained BS that didnt happen and turned out to untrue. After these experiences i don't believe what they say. What you read is slightly more believable - it reads kitesurfing will be in the marine zone regulation.

Of course it stands to reason they dont want to do stupid things, but they have and they are.
They are using the sales data from one shop (viking kayak) to conclude there is increased canoes on the waterways, and this shows a potential need for regulation. What the hell sort of data analysis is that? Talk about using statistics to tell whatever story you want.

Kitesurfing is included in the marine zones. It is unlikley kitesurfing would remain unrestricted. It might not be a blanket ban, or it might be. It could be that we are only banned in daylight hours because that's when other beach users are there. Or we may be restricted in summer when its busy, or maybe something equally retarded like using it every other month.

It sounds stupid but last year the council set up a business permit, won by Kite X Academy, for a location (Happy Valley) that can only operate in SE winds (due to the headland and high rises to the north). That business cant operate in sea breeze. WTF? That is moronic beaurocracy at its best! These are the same people, with the same culture, same processes, and they are making the same mistakes.

For all practical purposes, this online survey for community and stakeholder consultation is the entire basis of their decision to regulate or not. Why is it not in newspapers, TV and radio discussion, why are the council not paying for advertisements to ensure they get community and stakeholder feedback. They are not serious about consultation because sometimes it goes against what they want to do. Its so much easier to get no response and then make their own decisions.
Urggh - this council obviously pisses me off, and I'm disappointed you could be so relaxed and/or naive to think it'll all be alright. it might turn out to be alright, but this might also be the very thin edge of an axe coming down on Cotton tree and Happy Valley kitesurfing.

Everyone ask yourself, do you have faith that this council will do the right thing if given the power? If you're not very confident, then give your feedback that there shouldn't be regulation.

You could just move to Hervey Bay, the entire kiting community can fit in my lounge room! Just joking, stay away please Will fill in the survey as the coast is a great place to holiday and kite, so many different locations and styles. It's hard to know whether to play nice and hope things go well, or kick up a fuss like cauncy said.

Mike is on the money here.
This will be a numbers and loud voices game.
Have a quick review and answer the survey - the more expressions of interest the better our position.

A classic case of using data -- "There is lies, damn lies and statistics"(or words to that effect). The viking data you refer to Mike takes the first year's sale figures and the last year's sale figures to indicate the growth - the problem is the first year's figures are not for the equivalent 12 month sales period just a portion from when they started trading to the EOFinancial - not a valid conclusion to make.

There was a Maroochy river discussion paper called "Ship operations and activities on the Maroochy River" - (approx February 2010) Can someone recall what it was about - might have some pointers.

- Do the survey - we need to have a voice.

AP