Plans to extend Aspendale beach’s swimming-only zone by 60m
BOATS and jet skis may soon be banned at a Melbourne beach, as authorities plan to expand a swimmer-only area due to safety concerns.
Inner South
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THE deadly mix of swimmers and jet skis on Kingston beaches could soon be over.
Parks Victoria wants to extend Aspendale beach’s swimming-only zone by 60 metres to the south.
It is part of an ‘improvement process’ focused on existing boating and swimming zones in Port Phillip, with changes also mooted for Carrum, Bonbeach and Chelsea.
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Ken Aylen, a local grandfather who has spent his summer days at his Gnotuk Avenue boatshed for 30-odd years, said common sense had finally prevailed.
Last summer, Mr Aylen, other residents and Kingston councillors called on Parks Victoria to change the zones because some begin directly in front of the foreshore carparks, which is where most beachgoers get out of the car and head straight for the water.
“It’s plain common sense — it’s a family swimming beach,” Mr Aylen said.
Mr Aylen said he had been fighting Parks Victoria on the issue and became “very alarmed” two Christmases ago when he couldn’t find his grandson — then aged nine — in the water.
“Because he had about eight jet skis around him,” he said.
“Some of the jet skiers are okay, they do the right thing, but there are some real idiots.”
Other proposed changes in Parks Victoria’s ‘improvement process’ include allowing ‘human-powered paddlecraft’ — such as stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and canoes — to frequent swimming-only zones.
State Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson said while some people would be concerned about some of those changes, particularly the boating community, “we need to ensure there is safety at all times.”
“The consultation gives everyone an opportunity to get involved and have their say on what they think,” Mr Richardson said.
Parks Victoria acting senior manager of local ports and waterways Cathy Jenkins said new boating and swimming zones had been progressively introduced across all of Port Phillip since 2010.
It implemented the stage three upgrades — which included a revised swimming zone at Aspendale, Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach and Carrum lifesaving clubs — in 2014.
This review of the stage three section is open for community consultation until December 16, following which recommendations will be made to Maritime Safety Victoria.
Feedback will be accepted via survey, a written response sent to Parks Victoria 10/535 Bourke St, Melbourne or email to info@parks.vic.gov.au
Visit www.parks.vic.gov.au/boatzonereview to see the proposed changes.
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