Dear Sir / Madam RE: LOSS OF SURFING AMENITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AT KIRRA POINT, QUEENSLAND I am writing to you to make you aware of the significant degradation of recreational surfing at Kirra Point and the significant loss of marine habitat at Kirra Reef on the southern Gold Coast. For over 40 years, Kirra Point (Kirra) has been the bastion of surfing on the Gold Coast. The wave at Kirra, both before the coastal protection groyne was built in the early 1970’s and subsequently, has regularly been rated as being the best surfing wave in the world. Around this and other waves, surfing has grown to become a major recreational and commercial activity in south-east Queensland. It is estimated that in the Gold Coast region, there are in excess of 40,000 resident surfers and many more intrastate, interstate and overseas surfers visit the coast each year. Surfing forms a major pillar of Gold Coast culture, is a major community asset and is also a significant contributor to the local economy with an estimated contribution of over $1 billion per In comparison to other outdoor recreational activities, surfing is poorly understood and there has been little investment in surfing amenity here on the coast when in fact surfing is second only to swimming as the most popular aquatic activity and more people surf than participate in Australian rules football; rugby league; rugby union; ice and snow sports; horse riding, lawn bowls, waterskiing and power boating; sailing; canoeing or kayaking; scuba diving; and surf lifesaving. Over the past 13 years, a combination of factors has resulted in the decline in quality of surf quality at Kirra Beach, up to a point today, where the wave seldom breaks in a manner suitable for surfing. A modification to the groyne combined with the effects of the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project (TRESBP) has significantly altered the local geomorphology to a point where today the surfbreak seldom produces the waves and recreational amenity it became world famous for. Kirra Reef, uniquely located at the northern extent of the temperate marine system on the east coast and at the southern extent of the sub-tropical marine zone was home to a unique collection of marine flora and fauna. The reef also served an important economic function – it was the only reef where divers and snorkellers could enter from the beach and also functioned as an important site for the recreational fishing community. The significant and ongoing deposition of sand has all-but smothered Kirra Reef and completely destroyed the local economy that relied on it. The economic, recreational and environmental values of the surfbreak and the reef were well documented in the environmental studies into the TRESBP in the mid-1990s and ongoing monitoring over the life of the project to date has confirmed the significant decline in environmental quality. Independent studies by Griffith University and Australian National University researchers have attempted to quantify the socio-economic value of surfing and also investigated options to improve surf quality at Kirra and surrounding surfbreaks without compromising coastal security. The surfbreak at Kirra was the training ground for many of our famous surfers and it has been likened to surfing’s equivalent of the Australian Institute of Sport. As well as its importance to competitive surfing, Kirra was the testing ground for a generation of recreational surfers. There is no doubt that the loss of Kirra has had significant socio-economic impacts on this region. In 2007, the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management provided Gold Coast City Council with a report that examined options to both improve surfing amenity at Kirra and surrounding locations and also better manage and protect our coastal resources. The report was endorsed by the surfing community. The report made three primary recommendations:
The total investment required is approximately $5 million, which is a relatively small amount considering the importance and value of surfing to the region. The vast majority of the Gold Coast’s ocean facing coastline has been and continues to be artificially modified and much could be done to improve recreational surfing amenity and improve our marine ecosystem, whilst also protecting our coastline. Despite the assurance of an Act of Parliament (in NSW and Qld) whose goal is to improve recreational amenity, the complicated contractual arrangements involving two State Governments and two Local Governments have frustrated attempts to force changes to the management of the TRESBP and as a result there is a declining trust in government. I seek your personal assurance and assistance to address this important, socio-economic, environmental and recreational issue in a timely manner. Regards,
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Supporters |
