LostinSpace said..
What is our case? Just saying "we don't want a Bathing Reserve there because we Kiteboard or Windsurf there", won't cut it I'm afraid ?? and we would be pissing into the wind. There needs to be some in depth compelling reasons and preferably with proof to support our submission. Is there anyone out there with a few brains in their head who is very familiar with all the issues surrounding this can present us with details of how or what we can present and to whom for maximum effect and impact? It would help for us to understand why is Redland Shire Council proposing this? Are they intending to build a netted area? Are they intending to make or have it a Patrolled Area with Council Lifeguards, Are they proposing to lease to a Commercial Operator like an Inflatable Water Feature Park? why are they proposing such a large area as opposed to say a Life Guard supported area at any typical beach etc., etc., Then we need to present evidence based information about how many Bathers (what type of bathers / ages) use this area, when (Seasons, temperatures / weather conditions, times of days) what locations in the area they bath in, what risks are for them bathing in the area. Then how we interact with the area, what are our impacts, what weather conditions are we there in and how many Bathers and their locations in regards to our locations, our launching and landing areas, safety, risks, prior complaints about us and how these were addressed. Then there are other issues to support us like, we have been using the area traditionally for (?) length of time, that Kiteboarding / windsurfing bring (?) economic value to the area etc., etc.
You can try the logic strategy first but my experience is once council has their agenda then public pressure is a stronger argument. But yes the reason for this must be first understood and used as a response. I would say the area is the size just so Council can reduce it at a later stage to show they have compromised if objections come foreword, typical development play by asking for more than what you need and handing back latter. But I would say this reserve is just about a done thing.
I never sail their but I'm prepared to rock up for a protest with others and we need to do this real fast.
