Ettalong Beach: New petition launched to ban jet skis from peninsula waterways

They’re noisy, dangerous and their owners leave rubbish behind. That’s the crux of a petition lobbying for a new ban on jet skis which has an unlikely group offering its support.

A photo of jet skis parked at Ettalong Beach which was widely shared on social media when it was taken in 2021. Picture: Facebook

Jet skis are in the crosshairs of a new petition lobbying for the popular watercraft to be banned at Ettalong and Umina beaches. And it has a most unlikely ally.

The petition on Change.org quickly amassed more than 850 signatures since it was launched in late January.

It follows another petition three years ago which attracted nearly 900 signatures but failed to garner any lasting change.

“The local communities of Ettalong and Umina Beach are facing an escalating issue with the use of jet skis,” the new petition reads.

“These recreational vehicles, while enjoyed by a few, are causing significant noise pollution that disrupts the peaceful ambience of our beach areas. More importantly, they pose a serious safety risk to swimmers due to their high speed and potential for accidents.”

Residents have launched a petition to have jet skis banned at Ettalong. (File image: there is no suggestion this rider is doing anything wrong)

“In addition to these concerns, jet ski users often bring food packaging which ends up as litter on our beaches or in our waterways, contributing to environmental degradation. Despite these negative impacts on our community and environment, there is no economic benefit from their presence as jet ski users typically do not contribute to the local economy during their visits.”

Jet skis have long been an issue on the Peninsula, which is a popular haunt for personal watercraft given its natural beauty, relatively protected waterway, the proximity to Sydney — where jet skis have been banned for years on the harbour — and sandbars off the channel that provide waves for jet skis to jump.

Many residents believe jet skis are better suited to remote tropical islands than suburban beaches like Ettalong. (File picture: Supplied)

The issue came to a head in late 2020 after Covid restrictions eased and thousands of people hit the water.

In response NSW Maritime introduced a 20-knot speed limit for all vessels in the mouth of Brisbane Water stretching from Half Tide Rocks across to Ettalong and up past Kourung Gourung Point.

But despite the speed limit the area remains as popular as ever and an influx of visitors over summer has reignited tensions.

Meanwhile residents have found an unlikely ally in the form of a local group of jet ski enthusiasts, which have joined a chorus calling for something to be done.

Central Coast Old Seals Jetski Group spokesman George Galea (second right) said he was disappointed in what he saw at Ettalong Beach on Australia Day. Picture: Facebook

Central Coast Old Seals Jetski Group spokesman George Galea said he lived at Umina Beach and saw the “disaster” unfolding on Australia Day.

“When I was driving past I thought it’s a disaster, the poo is going to hit the fan over this,” he said.

“You can see why people are really pissed off. They were parking across driveways, on corners, trailers everywhere and they have no respect for Maritime, no respect for police and no respect for laws.”

Mr Galea said the “Old Seals” were mature riders who avoided public holidays and “we’re not a group of hot-doggers” but they still got “tarred with the same brush” because of visiting jet ski riders, which he called “pelicans”.

He said authorities should close the sand access boat ramp off at the Ettalong Beach carpark with a chain and make it for emergency services only.

“I don’t think it would be the [final] solution but it would deter a lot of the meat heads,” he said.

“They would have to drive to Woy Woy or Koolewong to launch and it would deter them from launching (at Ettalong), parking anywhere and having big gatherings of people.”