MEETING OF COUNCIL - Town of Cambridge

COUNCIL MINUTES
TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2012
Of the submissions received in support of the various proposed restrictions:-
- 4 submissions supported all proposed restrictions;
- 1 submission supported the proposed fishing & boardwalk restrictions;
- 10 submissions supported the proposed surfing restrictions at City Beach groyne;
Of the submissions received that opposed the various proposed restrictions:-
- 10 submissions opposed all the proposed restrictions;
- 4 opposed the proposed fishing restrictions;
- 24 opposed restrictions proposed surfing prohibition at City Beach groyne.
Proposed surfing restrictions at City Beach groyne
The original recommendation and decision referred to the proposal to amend the permitted
swimming months to 1 November to 30 April, and the permitted board riding period to 1 May
to 30 October each year. What was not specifically mentioned was that surfing would
continue to be permitted between 7.00pm to 6.00am.
Unfortunately, this omission was carried through into the public notices, and subsequently
bought out some vigorous submissions from the surfing community, as well as media
interest.
It is interesting to record that 10 submissions supported a total ban on board riding on the
north side of City Beach groyne during the summer season. The principal reason given was
that despite the existing signage and time restrictions, some board riders regularly flouted
the 6am limit. A roving lifeguard will now be present from 6.00am over the summer months
to enforce this requirement.
24 submissions from a wide ranging age of respondents opposed a total ban of surfing at
City Beach groyne during the summer seasons. The majority of those submissions
supported the 7pm to 6am limit.
It is recommended that the restriction "No Surf Appliances, 6.00am to 7.00pm, 1 November
to 30 April" be adopted.
Proposed use restrictions at Floreat boardwalk.
Four submissions supported the proposed boardwalk restrictions and ten submissions
opposed the restrictions.
These restrictions were discussed at the Beach User Forum, in particular near misses and
accidents by bicycle riders with pedestrians and disabled persons were raised. Forum
attendees pointed out that the boardwalk should not be accessible to cyclists and the like
and that restriction signs were already in place. Further investigation by the Administration
found that the passive recreational nature of the boardwalk's design does not make it
compatible with active recreational activities such as bicycle riding, or
rollerblading/skateboarding, and that such activities added an unnecessary risk to boardwalk
users, particularly those with disabilities.
Accordingly, it is recommended that the advertised restrictions "Dogs permitted on leash
only" and "Bicycles, Roller-blades and Skateboards not permitted" be adopted for the Floreat
boardwalk.
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