Hi everyone, I have written a quick essay/ letter critically assessing briefly why not just windsurfers, but other users should have rights to council land in this case for parking or other legal activities. As a side note, I remember the train and areas around being hot spots for homeless people and not sure how that is panning out in the arising of the new redevelopment as I do not live nearby and have the chance to observe but that is concern for other research. But given the redevelopment, I have focused on windsurfers, kiteboarders, unpowered craft etc for the recreational playground that we 'play in'. Why? Because focusing on one group may alienate our cause. Nobody will generally give a ****e if I walk into council chambers relating a complaint to be a windsurfer due to us being a minority group.What do think?

Draft below, please provide critique, info or references.

The case for more parking at Southport, explicitly the train and any other public recreational areas on the Gold Coast City Council land.
The recent changes in the redevelopment of the train and the adjacent parklands have opened a recreational playgroup fit for the population of observers for the Commonwealth games (swimming venue) and users of the Broadwater. As users of the water park development, the windsurfing community is generally happy with the redevelopment apart from the distinction of boat users with recreational users of the parking situation.

Environmental factors should be considered in the weight against boat users in gold coast parkland parking spaces. Although there are factors in the construction of boats, windsurfers and other water craft, the pollution including noise produced by boats/ jet skis is far greater than a windsurfer, a kayak, a stand-up paddle board or similar that emits very little environmental toxins. For example, there is no fuel residue, particularly from diesel that discolours windsurfing boards that in many cases are white on the bottom. Another issue of environmental breach was observed for instance by the author that a resident or guest of a houseboat defecated in the water and was witnessed by fellow windsurfers and visual observation of faeces was observed floating nearby. But the focus is on the parking spaces that are empty in times of windy conditions as boaties generally may not go out in windy conditions (reference).Discrimination in parking spaces at the site have resulted in recreational windsurfing, kiteboarding, kayaking, swimmers and other non-fuel powered craft users being forced to obey far different rules to those who have boats. This results in a large, empty carpark on most days.

Could we assume that an excess of parking spaces (based on observation) have been allocated to boats based on the possibility that this area may be a launching point for sail craft competing in the events based around the Commonwealth Games? If yes, will a council department amend this after the games?May the author suggest that it is unfair that any users, whether they be windsurfers, unpowered water users or even swimmers be penalised or forced from a public recreational playground developed by the Gold Coast City Council within reasonable limits? We all contribute to the local council in some way e.g. rates, parking fines, parking fees etc so why be restricted in public areas of recreation? We look forward to your response with anticipation.

Yours Sincerely,

Craig F

Onya Craig. It makes sense to review the parking arrangement in the hope to gain some longer period parking closer to the water for non powered craft users. Last sunday there was no where to move a car to once rigged, yet there were loads of empty boat trailer bays??

A few weeks ago someone pointed out a council car parked near the boat ramp were using their phones to take photos of cars parked in the 10min rigging parking space. The last few times I've launched there, some of our fellow windsurfers have been parked there for a couple of hours whilst out sailing or chatting. Council are obviously aware of it. Is this an attempt to show council how limited the parking is and hopefully force a change? Could continually exceeding the 10 mins parking limit backfire and damage our relationship with council, as well as making it difficult for other users to rig near the water?

Guys thanks for the feedback. The GCWC intend on addressing these issues with GCWA and COGC in the new year. The club was formed to enable us as a whole to solve these problems so join in and lets get something sorted. From experience council and waterways are less likely to listen to angry individuals.

Haircut said..
Onya Craig. It makes sense to review the parking arrangement in the hope to gain some longer period parking closer to the water for non powered craft users. Last sunday there was no where to move a car to once rigged, yet there were loads of empty boat trailer bays??

A few weeks ago someone pointed out a council car parked near the boat ramp were using their phones to take photos of cars parked in the 10min rigging parking space. The last few times I've launched there, some of our fellow windsurfers have been parked there for a couple of hours whilst out sailing or chatting. Council are obviously aware of it. Is this an attempt to show council how limited the parking is and hopefully force a change? Could continually exceeding the 10 mins parking limit backfire and damage our relationship with council, as well as making it difficult for other users to rig near the water?

Thanks Justin, the point that you make about parking exceeding the 10 minutes spot on and I think that where there are pre existing rules of parking times and positions, they should be obeyed and this helps our cause for further negotiation in the future. At the end of the day, if there are complaints, concerns or suggestions from a group, strength in our argument is paramount through abiding by the set rules at the time.

Speaking of which, who is the face that responds on behalf of the 'GCWA and COGC as per this quote - "From experience council and waterways are less likely to listen to angry individuals."?