Has anyone read the new proposed changes to the river mouth, apparently kiting will be banned due to the confusion it causes boats and the shadows cast by the kites upsetting the birds on the mouth!!!
its not a joke and they believe the lakes are more than sufficient to kite. I would urge all kiters to read this www.noosa.qld.gov.au/news
and write to the council, even interstate visitors and inform them you wont be bringing your oh so important tourist dollars there.
Move quick on this guys as its one of the sweetest spots in Queensland
Contact Matt or Drew from M8 to help out.
good luck

thats great Mark but you need to put that in Writing and send it to the council. A few letters wont be noticed but several thousand pointing out the craziness will surely help.
Dont sit on your arse with this one guys and girls!!

http://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/news/marine.shtml

Its very clear about what is happening at the rivermouth , read the document in the link above and again witness our rights as citizens being eroded by regulators and short sighted,narrow minded people.

I rang the council to ask some fundemental questions about the issue and was told quite clearly by a person who would not provide their name that there is no prospect of a reversal of the decision to ban kiting in the rivermouth.

They were not interested in hearing about the loss of economic benefit to the community when tourists who specifically go to Noosa for kiting will now relocate their dollars to other kiting sites in the country.

As our sport continues to gain in popularity we will see more and more of this type of behaviour from spoil sports who probably spend most of their leisure time in front of the BOX.

Noosa kiters, I'm aware that activity is taking place up there to represent the kiter point of veiw . I believe it is critical that the kiting fraternity as a whole need to get behind you blokes to present our issues.

Would whoever is leading the charge up there bring us all up to date and indicate how we may help.

thanks
goose

you know whats gunna happen. By banning the Rivermouth they will force everyone onto the beaches. Then the overcrowding will cause it to be banned on the beaches too. Take action dont just read this or you will be driving to D.I. to kite.

OK, it's there on the site http://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/news/marine.shtml how you can oppose which I have included here:

Written submissions on the discussion paper may be given to Council by any person. A properly made submission:
1. Is in writing and received by Council by 20 July 2007; and
2. Includes the name and address of each person making the submission; and
3. States the grounds of the submission and the relevant facts and circumstances in support of the grounds; and
4. Is addressed to Noosa Council, at PO Box 141, Tewantin, Q 4565, fax 07 5447 1062 or email [email protected]

Note that it says that you need to state the grounds of your submission and relevant facts etc...
Does anyone in the Noosa area have some facts etc that we can include in our submissions?

Sunseeker,how ya goin chippy....Adventure Sport's has written a great letter outlining some cold fact's,Rob the owner has put in a lot of time and energy already, but appears it has fallen on deaf ear's,he can't tackle it on his own and it's time to show solidarity within the kiteing fraternity.....come on kiter's!HELP

Yeah, good thanks mate - workin up in Central QLD these days - home from Thrusday nights to Monday morning which is good.

Is there anyway that you could post some facts from the letter for the general kite community here to use. I joined save our spit a while ago which was anorganisation set up to save the gold coast seaway from a luxury shipping development - on their website they posted the facts that you could use in a response to the QLD government. So each participant sent their own response to the government. This is way more powerful than a petition.

They have given us an e-mail address to reply to - let's use it - just properly.

Also, Windswell - could you change the topic to include the words - please all help...
Or Laurie - make a sticky posting please.

Sunshine Coast Daily Saturday in public announcements: Noosa Council announces a proposal to restrict wind sport activities at the river mouth.

Sunshine Coast Kiters- sign the petition at Rob's store, write to the council, make lot's of noise. Talk to Matt Colefax, he has a diary of council communications for the last 5 years.

Once Noosa starts this, the rest will follow.

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN!!!

Just read through the Councils "Noosa River Marine Zone Proposal"
Council has been putting this together for years basically trying to ban Jetskis from parts of the river. They recorded 110 marine incidents in the last 5 yrs. From jetskis 13%, hire boats 12%, commersial passenger vessels 14% , speed boats 19% but they haven't mentioned any from kitesurfers.
I think they have included kites without any actual evidence as a last minute inclusion.

Their problem with Kites is
1. Kites move unpredictably and rapidly change course. Vessels actually crossing the bar can't alter their course without risking passengers.
2. The shadows of the kites scare the resting shorebirds into thinking that they are one of their preditors. This makes the birds lift and therefore wastes vital energy needed to make the migratory journey to the northern hemisphere.(ever heard so much bull****)?

Maybe we should paint a picture of some friendly birds on our kites- so not to scare them.

I rekon, as per a previous post last year, that we get some sort of licensing reqiurement to kite in the river or other over popular spots or a permit you to kite there. You must pass a competency test by a qualified IKO and present the certificate to kite there plus a small fee to pay for emergency response, signage (zones where to take off and land kites) and education for kiters and boat riders (tourist can possibly get an international licence/permit from the local shop or coast guard tower??) otherwise they cant kite there.

Perhaps u can then get a day permit, monthly permit or yearly permit (annual permits discounted to keep us locals happy). You need a jetski licence, a fishing licence (in most states), a camping permit, then why not a kitesurfing licence/permit? The only way to regulate such a popular location is to regulate the people riding there. Reckless kiters can be tracked and dealt with plus an area zoned strictly for takeoff and landing, plus no jumping within a certain area from the shore can be part of it (perhaps a leaflet with a map and rules on it will be given when u get ur permit). Im gunna cop a lot of negative feedback from this... BUT what else can we do? at the end of the day, kicking and screaming and signing petitons will only go so far. Action will go a LOT further, this is action.

I call to arms AKSA to write the rule book and work with the local coast guards on a permit or licensing system. I pay my annual fee for AKSA membership, I am sure that all of us would be happy to pay an extra $10 a year for your time and effort to organise this system for us. You are the official regulating body for kitesurfing, its up to you to speak for the majority to the people that matter. Perhaps someone can write this suggestion up neatly and suggest it to council. Money talks bullsh1t walks, council would be happy IF they are getting money, the only real way is to pay to prevent banning. I am sure no local would complain about a tourist paying for a more expensive daily rate to kite in a premium location if they are getting there cheaper annual discount. People that dont get permits just get fined (like when u camp without a permit). This will keep the numbers in the river a little lower, plus be a viable healthy alternative to banning.

It is going to happen UNLESS we take action now. The council are serious... here is the direct link http://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/Community/documents/Freestyling.pdf

I have just written them this letter...

Dear Noosa Council,

I am distressed at the proposed changes to the marine laws at the river mouth. Instead of arguing with the ruling I will take the constructive approach and propose a solution the will be mutually beneficial for all parties in the effort to prevent the loss of a world class kitesurfing location.

I have a solution that will
a)Moderate the kiters using the waterway and be sure they are proficient in the local laws and safe landing areas
b)Moderate the kiters actions on the waterway and instruct them of safe conduct
c)Limit the number of users
d)Fund the cost of signage, education and management for the recreational water user and kitesurfing community
e)Raise money for the council or the local coast guard from the tourists
f)Raise money for the council or the local coast guard from the local kitesurfers
g)Protect spectators and the general public
h)Ensure that the public is covered for public liability in case of accident
i)Raise the competency level of inexperienced kiters
j)Track offenders

The proposal is a licensing requirement OR a permit to kite in the river mouth or other over popular areas where public safety is a problem. Users must pass a competency test by a qualified IKO (International Kiteboarding Organisation) instructor and present that competency certificate, with identification to the local kitesurfing shop with a small fee in exchange for a licence/permit to kite in the river mouth. This fee will pay for emergency response, signage i.e. zones where to take off and land and also public safety messages) and education for kiters and boat users.

Various permits will be made available
-Daily Permit
-Monthly Permit
-Annual Permit (annual permits discounted to keep the locals happy whilst getting a premium rate from the tourists).

A fishing licence/permit is required in most states as with a camping permit, then why not a kitesurfing licence/permit? The only way to regulate this world renowned location is to regulate the people using it. Reckless kiters can be tracked and dealt with by getting there permit number and providing them with bans and beginner kiters who are in less control and more of a public risk are limited to the training locations i.e. Lake Weyba. Kiters must wear the permit similar to the tag they need to show that they are a member of the AKSA, attached to their harness and clearly visible.

The funds generated from this permit could also cover the cost of a sign zoning an area strictly for takeoff and landing kites to protect the public safety. When the kiter purchases their permit, perhaps a leaflet with a map and the rules printed on it could be provided containing but not limited to the marine laws explaining basic things on how kiters must give way to a powered vessel travelling through a bar crossings and basic code of conduct. The users who get the permit might also submit a drivers licence or passport and possibly a photo for the storage in the database (even if its a template excel sheet) to track offenders.

Already a majority of kiters pay annual an annual fee for AKSA (Australian Kitesurfing Association) membership, this covers the general public with public liability insurance so it could also be a prerequisite to get the permit. People that don't get permits just get fined or (like when somebody camps without a permit). In regards to who has the power to fine a kitesurfer, being an active member of the Surf Lifesavers I know that the Surf Lifesaving Association have the power to confiscate kites. so they could be a basic authority without writing any new laws. Otherwise I am sure you could arrange the power for the local rangers, water police or coast guard? You are the government after all.

I believe this is the only viable solution to manage the waterway and prevent overpopulation. Like I said at the beginning of this email, Noosa River mouth is regarded as one of the world's best kitesurfing locations. Banning the use of this location would be a colossal mistake and lack of hindsight, comparable to banning pipeline in Hawaii from surfing. Kitesurfers as a demographic are in the middle age group and are generally well financed as kitesurfing is an expensive sport. As a member of an active community I have met hundreds of national and international tourists who come to Australia for the sole purpose of kitesurfing the famous Noosa River mouth. They bring their wives, kids and big tourist dollars to the coast. I urge you in the essence of sanity, that instead of banning this sport you charge them for this permit!

Kind Regards,
Mike Swaine


ITS UP TO YOU TO DO THE REST!!!! PLEASE START WRITING LETTERS!!!!!

what a lot of sh** echo you think money and permits wil help. Council are a law to them selves and thier only going to protect their arse when the sh** hits the fan. With what you have said it sounds like you work for a council
GET KITERS AND COMMUNITY TO TELL THE COUNCIL TO GET STUFFED
keep swinging

Hey "echo" word on tha streets is "you got damn fine balls " , Should keep them thoughts to ur self "rooeyboy" hahahaha. But lets keep it to the topic eh

Good idea echo...There is a meeting at kitesurf shop gympy tce Monday 18th at 12noon for all who can come.
So come everyone an lets unify and do what ever it takes to save our river mouth.

yea rooey i forwarded the email to him, aksa and the council.

How did the meeting in Noosa go today?