1/10/2006:
The Moreton Bay Kitesurfing Club is in the process of formation and a committee (Wellington Point Action Group) has been formed to liaise with council on the ban. That committee hopes to meet with council officers by about mid October. The objective of that first meeting is to start to build a relationship with the council - it seems that one reason there is a ban is that council has not had a representative group to deal with before. As well as establishing contact, we will be hoping to understand council's reasons for the ban (we know they relate to safety and overcrowding, but we'll be looking for more details). We'll also explain to council why Wello is so important to kiters and how we can, by self regulating, reduce the risks and crowding issues so that we can use the area for kiting and, by so doing, improve the amenity for all users rather than detract from it for any.

Meanwhile, help out if you'd like by registering/joining the petition. See Laurie's note of 24/9 towards the end of this thread.

20/9/2006:
I see that there is a banner pointing to this post as there has been some action on this subject recently. Michael Bishop has got some interest moving and is in the process of forming a club that would, amongst other things, facilitate lobbying/negotiation with Redland Shire Council.

My most recent communication with council was that the by law was still under review - that was on 29/8/06. I will endeavour to get a further update. I will also liaise with Michael re providing further information on this subject.

Regards

Trevor Jack
0408 152 414

30/5/2006:
Apparently the by law banning kiting within the Wello Point reserver is under review....not, unfortunately, with a view to repealing it, but, as far as I can tell, just a tidy up. It seems it's already been to the solicitors for review. Nevertheless, seems like a chance to speak with Council and see if something more conducive to kiting could be put in place.

I was told this by a council landscape architect. She was involved in the master plan development, which was never accepted by council, some years ago. Mentioned that various kiters had been involved in the consultation process for that - but that when asked for a submission, nothing was forthcoming. That probably doesn't matter, given that the master plan was not put through.

She seemed keen to get kiting input...though there is no current plan to change anything. Overall she sounded keen on allowing kiting but thinks the danger kites pose (and, from what I've seen at Wello, this is very real!) and the space they take up precludes their use at Wello.

I've sought a contact within Redland Bay Council who is dealing with the by-law review. I think when I have that it may be helpful for some frequent Wello kiters, preferably those who can string a few coherent words together, to speak to that person. Anyone interested, please let me know. As I'm a relative noobie and usually kite at Brighton, I'm not best qualified to represent the broader kiting community.

Perhaps SEQKA should get involved...but who is SEQKA? How was the get together, without Huey's blessing, on Sunday at Loder Creek?

Excellent job Trevor - I wish you luck with pursuing this and hope for the best outcome I'm available if you want me on board, or you might want a more 'mature aged' kiter.

Paulio! Tsk tsk. It's not the Fijian Historical Society, that was the first suggestion put forward. The most recent suggestion is that the 'Papua New Guinea Historical Environmental Plan for 2020' have included Wello in this draft plan They have found many plants resembling the form of boards, boots, boardies, bar and lines, and they think they have a new species of plant! Everyone knows that the water at wello is great! It's original - haha lol

Goodwinds
Elizabeth B8 - Wello Kiter

'Mature aged' or mature? Liz if you can like to talk good as what you can writes...

yeah Liz you get the job Youd live there if you could lol

I'll be on the Goldy on Sat, but hopefully it's 'kiteable' down there, otherwise, there's always Sunday for me at Wello

6 weeks I know! Tell me about it- Stoked, not to mention the min 3 months I have from mid november, dec, jan and feb UNI Don't worry, I will be working at least 3 or 4 of those 7 days

Might catch you down there on Sunday? Talk the girls into coming down lol Even though we plan on kiting for at least 3 hours, they can watch lol

Hey Liz

We will be at The PIN on Saturday after about 9.30 as it will be about the only place to kite in a SW'erly.

PM me your mobile number and I will arrange to get that board to you in the arvo when we get back, if you are still down here then.

Fitzy Gold Coast OZ

hey guys,

from what i understand the 2003 wello master plan may be voted on by council but it is an amended version.....

my main concern is the loss of parking spaces on the western side....

as i like to pole dance and i like to do my pole dancing on the western side i was wondering if anyones knows anything.

cheers
gestalt..

Hi Rovert,

all i can say is it is back on the table... the original plan has been amended and will be voted on by council on june 28th.

i have tried to find out what amendments were drafted but have been unable to gain any information further to what was published in the Redland Times this week.

here is a copy of a response that i received from council today..

Justin,

Further to your enquiry earlier today, please note that I am unable to send you the plan yet as it has not yet been approved by full Council.
To date the plan has only been recommended for adoption by Council's
Planning and Policy Committee. The plan will be going to full Council for consideration for adoption next week.

Following Council's resolution on the plan, I will inform you by email and forward a copy of the approved plan to you.

Thanks.
Regards,

Jennifer Newland
Advisor - Landscape Architect
Environmental Management
REDLAND SHIRE COUNCIL
Ph(07) 3829 8946 Fax(07) 3829 8765

my concern involves what part of the original plans have been kept and what are the amendments. obviously the original plan involved scrapping the car parking on the western side. Plus a focus to develop the eastern side.

quote:

---

or we all park, dump, then find a park

---

I wish it was that easy Elizabeth. Ive gone down to Wello on a Sunday or Public Holiday and just drove around and around trying to get a park even on the eastern side. This years been particularly bad since they added more playgrounds and BBQ on the SE side.
I don't agree that the council should spend money on more BBQs and picnic table ect. And not do anything about parking.
Im happy if wello just stayed as is but the council is voting next week on new plan that includes more picnic areas but only 10 more parking bays.
I do agree that the council should look at other areas around the Redlands not just at Wello.

ta Vando

one thing that has been overlooked in this discussion is that when we started windsurfing at wello in the late 70's, the sand at the current beach on the northern end facing king island went out for at least another 50 yards. i.e. a football pitch more recreational area above high tide!
council inactivity has allowed it to erode to the pathetic little beach it is today with limited rigging area.
in its heyday in the 80's, wello used to host hobie, windsurfer and sailboard titles with up to 100 entrants with ample beach space for our sport and huge ethnic picnics, all having fun.
what is left is a bit of grass, a carpark edging the water at high tide and a pathetic ruling from an uninformed council who seem to be unwilling to do anything except do public works on the parking areas.

It's important to be aware that there are 2 issues being covered here. One, which I started this thread about, is the local law covering kite boarding at Wello and the other is the master plan for Wellington Point. They appear to be rather separate. As Gestalt mentioned a few days ago, there is a master plan to be considered by council in a few days and it is not available for public consultation, or even information, before then. In particular, we don't know whether or not any change to the parking on the western side is proposed.

I've now heard again from a council officer on the subject of the local law. Apparently the relevant laws are being (re)drafted and are expected to be ready for public consultation "in the coming months" - no more definitive timing was available. Written submissions are likely to be required which address the specific point of the law in question and reasons and justification for why it should be amended. Notices will be placed in local papers to invite these submissions. The council officer recommended that I, and by implication other kiters, wait for such publication seeking input before submitting any views. So I'll keep my eye out for this and post here when there is any news.

An email petition is being organised, here's a copy I received:
===============================================================

Send to [email protected]

Please add your name and address and copy and paste the green text below.

On behalf of the Moreton Bay Kitesurfing Club - Thanks in advance for your support!!

Kite Surfing is the latest craze in water sport, and is enjoyed by people of all age groups the world over. In Brisbane, kite surfers regularly visit Wellington Point as it suits most wind directions and presents some of the best conditions in Australia.

• Currently, according to Redland Shire Council bylaws, Kite Surfing is prohibited, and bringing kiting equipment onto the reserve can incur a fine of $375.
• Wellington Point is home to some of Australia’s top kite surfers and is the local spot for a group of friendly responsible users who have a genuine interest in keeping Wellington Point safe and allowing it to be enjoyed by everyone, kite surfers or not.

I support allowing Wellington Point being enjoyed by all.

Everywhere has its moments as the place to kite. Redcliffe, Brighton, Wello. If you live on the southside of Bris though, places like Wello can mean the difference between getting out some days and not, just because of the travel time. The Gateway Motorway is just a joke to head North on some arvos.

Having had an unforecast blast at Wello yesterday I hope everyone continues to band together to keep the access open there.

When things get busy on weekends with family picnics and kids swimming over the coming months, us kiters need to make sure we keep our distance (amongst other things). I have seen some scary near misses in the past.