tbranse said..






Not to mention all the beach goers in the last few weeks...who wants to swim in this s*** water anyways??

How about a "beach rock patrol"? A few wheel barrows and if we get enough people together we will have those rocks cleared in one afternoon. My board looks like some mice have been nibbling on the heelside edge

HighzaKite said..
I believe the council is aware of this situation and the risks it poses to the general public and sailing community and are planning, in conjunction with Parks Victoria and the water police, to trial a permit system effective 01 Jan 2015 where each kite-sailor gets one pre-nominated hour of a pre-nominated time and day of the week, regardless of conditions, if you miss your time you miss out, if there is no wind you miss out. This is to ensure that there are no more than 10 kite-sailors at any one time in the area. Conditions of the permit will mean that you will follow all sailing rules (eg. starboard), and the permit will automatically be revoked if the kite sailor releases their kite at any time and cannot access their control bar.

Permits can be applied for in advance but not on the day (except during the introductory period), and will be easily done via the website for a nominal fee and can be downloaded onto your smartphone or printed out at home or work. You will also need to provide evidence of third party liability insurance and you will need to give the color and brand of your kite to apply for the permit. Anyone going out or coming in after a kite without a permit will be automatically fined. Obviously Euros who cannot speak English and have no fixed address will have their kites confiscated under Victorian anti-hoon legislation. They will also have their vans impounded if they have offensive, immoral or anti-social messages. Furthermore the wearing of boardshorts over a wetsuit will be deemed indecent exposure and fines will be issued.

I understand they are going to bring in the public transport PSO's (who are a bit quiet at the moment) to add some manpower to enforce the permits during the busy summer period. Further more the water police will be notified if any kite-sailors are doing a "runner" and will be swiftly plucked out out the bay. I understand water police have the power to incapacitate a kite by lacerating the air bladders using one of any penetrative arms available and have been well trained in this exercise. With the recent announcement of the retirement of the Chief Commissioner of police who always cautioned moderation, the police have taken a more forceful approach towards anti-social behavior and will no longer tolerate minor misdemeanours.

The St Kilda LSC will also have authority to chase down wayward kite-sailors with their new Jet Skis, but are limited to cutting flying lines only.

This law was passed as part of the by-laws allowed to councils under state legislation. If you have any concerns please contact your local member of parliament. However, if your local member is from the Greens they will have no idea what you are talking about so you might need to buy them a chai skinny soy latte first then they still will have no idea but at least they will let you have a whinge.