Beach battle lingers on for jet skiers and swimmers
The turf war between riders and beachgoers is heating up, with jet ski owners rallying for their rights to ride.
South East
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More than 100 jet skiers have rallied to defend their sport following months of demands to restrict the vehicles on Peninsula beaches.
Victorian Jet Ski Club president James Chaanine said he feared that if council moved to force jet ski riders further from the shore it would put younger jet ski riders at risk if the weather turned foul.
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Mr Chaanine, who helped organise the January 13 rally, said it aimed to raise awareness that there was “good in the jet ski industry”.
“We push the laws (to members) every ride we go out on. We reinforce the laws on every ride,” he said.
“The feedback from the rally was very positive. We didn’t get a single negative comment.”
However, Rye Community Group Alliance chair Mechelle Cheers said the jet ski riders had “missed the point”.
“They are a minority group who are causing problems for the majority of beach users,” she said.
Ms Cheers said a majority of residents supported moves by Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to introduce zones that would force jet ski riders further from the shore.
“The southern part of the Peninsula is too shallow and too narrow to carry the volume of powered water users and particularly jet skis,” she said.
Mayor David Gill said it was clear residents wanted a “greater degree of separation” between jet ski riders and other beachgoers.
“I have got letters outlining the problem. We are getting that feedback,” he said.
“We want jet ski riders to have fun, but not be mixed with kids (and other people) at the beach.”
Ms Cheers and residents have repeatedly complained about jet ski hoons putting themselves and other people, particularly children, at risk.
Late last year, more than 5000 people signed a petition calling for a ban on jet skis from prime southern Peninsula beaches.
The Shire is conducting a major enforcement campaign on jet ski hoons at Rye and Safety Beach and pushing authorities, including police and Parks Victoria, to take tougher action.
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