The closure of a secluded boat ramp south of Sydney for this Australia Day long weekend may have unintentionally backfired before the temporary ban has commenced.
While Jet Ski riders and boaties will not be able to launch or retrieve their craft on the beach boat ramp at Bonnie Vale – on the edge of the Royal National Park south of Cronulla – the ban has highlighted the location of a ramp that few Jet Ski riders and boaties knew about.
It means the temporary ban may end up having the opposite effect compared to what locals wanted.
Once the ban is lifted after this long weekend, the area is likely to become more popular with Jet Ski riders and boaties.
Above: The beach boat ramp at Bonnie Vale. Photo: Facebook.
While locals wanted to keep the beach boat ramp on the down-low, the ban has had the opposite effect by putting the area in the spotlight.
The Labor MP for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart, is trying to broaden the ban on Jet Skis in the nearby exclusion zone, to protect swimmers and sea life along the pristine shoreline.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Mayor of Bayside Council, which covers the beaches near Brighton Le Sands, is trying to introduce no-go zones for Jet Skis after an increase in reports of dangerous close calls with swimmers, paddle-boarders and children (see screenshot from Facebook, above).
Amid political pressure for more exclusions zones, veteran Jet Ski riders have repeated their calls for more enforcement on the waterways – and have urged all Jet Ski riders to stay away from exclusion zones and swimmers, and to closely monitor their speed in low-speed zones.
Above: A screenshot from Google Maps which pinpoints the area concerned.
A press released issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the NSW Government said:
“To ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience for all visitors, the Bonnie Vale boat launch in Bundeena will be closed temporarily over the busy Australia Day long weekend.
“The Bonnie Vale boat launch will be closed from 9pm Friday 24 January until 7am Tuesday 28 January.
Above: A screenshot from Google Maps which pinpoints the area concerned.
“The boat launch, used for small boats and Jet Skis on the Port Hacking River, often creates significant traffic congestion on nearby roads when the Royal National Park reaches capacity on peak summer days.
“This temporary closure will reduce congestion and separate swimmers and watercraft users, improving safety for everyone enjoying the area.
“NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service encourages powered watercraft users to explore alternative boat launching options in the Sutherland Shire over the long weekend.”
The Boating Sutherland Shire page on Facebook took exception to the short notice given and the lack of transparency.
Although a press release was eventually made available it was not widely distributed.
The Facebook group said people who booked the nearby campground – who had planned to use the boat ramp – would be inconvenienced and out of pocket as they would need to go to other over-crowded ramps that were at least a 30 minute drive away.
The Boating Sutherland Shire page on Facebook noted:
“National Parks have a long-standing working committee including Council staff and Police that decided collectively that this closure would be a good idea.
“No residents/members of the public, boating groups, fishing clubs, National Parks pass holders, guests of National Parks Bonnie Vale Campground etc were either consulted about or advised of the closure.”
To have your say on the Jet Ski and boat ban at the Bonnie Vale beach ramp this Australia Day long weekend, click this link:
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