Kite surfers win battle to use Noosa River

Sunshine Coast kite surfers battling to retain the right to use the Noosa River mouth are elated after the council today gave them the green light to fly.

Sunshine Coast kite surfers have their battle to use the Noosa River mouth.

Sunshine Coast kite surfers battling to retain the right to use Noosa River mouth are elated after the council today gave them the green light to fly.

After extensive public consultation, Noosa Council determined it will continue to allow kite surfing at river mouth.

It said today it wouldl be working with kite surfers to prepare a code of practice to ensure the sport is safe and does not impact on the environment.

Chair of the Noosa River Plan Community and Industry Advisory Committee Cr Peter McGregor said, “Kite surfing supporters came together to tell us they can responsibly manage their sport in the river mouth.

"Council is inviting representatives of the kite surfing community to work with us to make sure any perceived safety and environmental issues are managed properly.

“We are asking them to work with us to develop a kite surfing code of practice and an education program, and to also undertake a risk assessment of the sport during the 2007-2008 kite surfing season.”

The bid to ban kite surfing at the river mouth was included in the first draft of the Noosa River Marine Zone Proposal.

Noosa is the first Queensland local government to propose a Marine Zone, a mechanism designed to allow marine activities in some areas but not others for reasons of safety, amenity and environmental protection.

The first draft of the Noosa River Marine Zone Proposal sought to regulate jet skis, water skiing, certain free-styling activities such as kite surfing, and the use of hovercraft, airboats, seaplanes and helicopters on the river.

Council invited submissions from the public on the draft proposal during June and July.

Some 80 submissions were received, the majority of which were concerned with the proposed ban on kite surfing at the Noosa River mouth.

After due consideration, the council has resolved to proceed with the Marine Zone Proposal, removing the reference to kite surfing at the river mouth.

The proposed restrictions on jet skis and water skiing are to remain, as does the banning of hovercraft, airboats and seaplanes on the Noosa River.

The reference to helicopters in the proposal has been removed as they are not vessels and therefore cannot be covered by Marine Zones.

Council is now finalising the Noosa River Marine Zone Proposal for submission to Maritime Safety Queensland for approval and subsequent legislative amendments. If approved it is not expected that the new regulations will take affect until early next year.

The final Noosa River Marine Zone Proposal is available for viewing now. A copy of the document and coloured maps can be downloaded from the Noosa Council website or may be purchased for $15 from the Noosa Council Offices, Level 2, 9 Pelican Street, Tewantin.

For further information, please refer to the Noosa Council webpage or contact the Strategic Planning Section on 07 5449 5164 or [e-mail]

Originally published as Kite surfers win battle to use Noosa River