Council Minutes - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY 28 AUGUST 2012
As the beach signage has not been reviewed or assessed for 11 years, it is recommended
that the Local Government Insurance Services (LGIS) be engaged to undertake a review of
beach signage.
The audit would involve a specialist LGIS Risk Management Consultant conducting the
following:-
• onsite inspection of the Towns coastal areas to identify risks, and hazards,
• meeting with relevant Town personnel to further identify and discuss existing controls,
• development of a draft and final report noting potential risks, hazards and liability issues
as well as providing direction for risk treatment options including signage,
• presentation and discussion of the report with Administration officers.
The Town currently has funds available in its LGIS Members Experience Account that may
be utilised for payment of this proposed beach signage review.
4. Conflict between fishermen and aquatic users at Floreat and City Beach
Groynes
Forum attendees expressed concern over the hours and times when anglers could fish from
the Floreat and City Beach groynes. Attendees reported that anglers were coming into
conflict with other beach users who use the aquatic and beach environments all year round.
Fishing off either groyne throughout the year poses a threat of injury to swimmers and board
riders during daylight hours from fishing hooks, either in the water or disposed of on the
groynes.
As mentioned above, City Beach groyne is used by board riders in the winter periods and in
early mornings in summers. Swimmers use the north side of this groyne in summers.
The Floreat groyne area is not a flagged swimming area and is not utilised by board riders
as the surf break is unreliable. However, the area is used by a small minority of swimmers
during the summer and winter months to swim parallel to the coast line. One forum attendee
stated that he had been hooked off the Floreat groyne during an early morning swim.
The area to the north of this groyne is used by the local surf life saving club for club aquatic
activities. This area is also the approved launch zone for kite surfing.
The beaches do not have no fishing restrictions and it is not proposed to apply any
restrictions, however, clause 5.10 of the Local Government and Public Property Local Law
expressly prohibits fishing in designated swimming areas.
The current restrictions and proposed changes are as follows:
City Beach Groyne.
Current restrictions: "No fishing - 1 April to 30 September All Times" and "No fishing - 1
October to 31 March, 7:00pm to 6:00am".
Proposed restriction: "No Fishing, including 50m north to 50m south of City Beach groyne,
All times".
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