National Office

Happy New Year from National Office, and welcome to the January edition for 2002.

We’ve changed the name of this email newsletter to reinforce who we are and what we represent – hope you like it!

Some people may not have received the December Newsletter due to the NSW fires, so if this applies to you please let us know at info@surfrider.org.au

VACANCY: Executive Officer for Surfrider

Following the recent resignation of Greg Howell, Surfrider is looking for an appropriate person to become our next Executive Officer.

Surfrider celebrated it's 10th Birthday in October 2001 with a major conference, "Riding the Next Wave", to look at the issues to be confronted by surfers during the next 10 years. We are now looking for someone with the right attitude to paddle the organisation into this next wave and the right mix of skills to set it up for barrels down the line.

The Executive Officer is responsible for the day to day running of Surfrider, including the management of staff in the National Office, and answers to the National Board of Directors.

This is an exciting position requiring commitment to the conservation of the coastal zone and a passion for surfing and the ocean. If you would like to know more about the job, call the National Office on 07 5534 2855. Applications close March 30.

BOARD NEWS

The Board of Directors met at National Office in January and left no stone unturned. Key actions underway at the national level include recruitment of a new EO, the development of a comprehensive business plan for Surfrider, revision of sponsorship arrangements and getting the myriad issues at national level addressed in a major planning document. The Staff, including volunteers, were also invited to attend part of the Board meeting.

Michael Legge-Wilkinson recently stepped aside as Chair for a short time, and Steve Blackley is currently acting in the position.

MEMBER SERVICE

Membership services will be given an overhaul this year – Surfrider needs active and informed members, and we hope to provide continually improving service to all members from individual through to our corporate supporters.

Rob Anker has provided an annual action plan on spreadsheet to ensure members are served notices in a timely fashion and other matters are handled allowing for plenty of time. Our thanks go out to Rob.

NATIONAL SURF REPORT

We’re now providing a National Surf report on ABC Radio every Saturday and Sunday morning at dawn. Tune into your local ABC radio for what the waves are doing around Australia and the world. It includes both Surfrider news and surf news and goes for about 6 minutes.

NATIONAL MEDIA

Our Acting Executive Officer, Stuart Ball and National Secretary, Julie Keretzny recently appeared on the first item of Channel 9’s Gold Coast news, with as Premier Beattie has announced that his government has decided to keep shark nets all year round on Queensland beaches. This follows significant opposition from the National Office during 10 years of debate and a hard push from a wall of groups including Sea World and The Shark Netting Focus Group during the last few months when 2 baby whales were killed by the nets. Contact us for the media release if needed for your local press. Julie has also done a lot of radio and television media interviews.

NATIONAL OFFICE COMMITTEES

After a recent staff meeting, the National Office set up 2 committees: the Merchandising Committee have already met and have some changes in store, while the Info Technology Committee will get things like the website up to date - complete with our monthly newsletters and up to date plans etc. The staff also had a Christmas party put on by Larry and Craig who share the Surfrider House. The January staff meeting was attended by four members of the Board.

2003 CALENDARS

We are currently looking for a new cover shot for 2003 Calendar. We trust you have already purchased your 2002 Calendar - available from Newsagents, Surfshops etc. Don’t forget it makes a great present!

EFFECTS OF INSURANCE

The recent insurance premium rises will affect Surfrider. The Australian Democrats are collecting details from many non-profit/community organisations to try to get Government to address this matter and do something to alleviate the outrageous financial burden on community groups. Stay tuned for further updates.

MCCOY FILM FESTIVAL SUPPORTS SURFRIDER

The Jack McCoy Surfing Film Festival is supporting Surfrider with part of proceeds being donated to us. The Festival features "To" staring Laird Hamilton, "September Sessions" starring Kelly Slater and "Montaj" starring Taj Burrow, and has been screened at several venues on the east coast. It’s simply a must see – you won’t believe the footage of Laird at Teahupo, and should find the surfing of Slater et al mesmerising, especially the bodysurfing. We have been told the Palm Beach showing has raised $1000 for the Foundation. A big thankyou goes out to all those involved, especially Jack McCoy and Dick Hoole.

THANKS BARTON

Barton Lynch and the RA surfing pay TV show, with Sony music have made a donation from the sale of CDs. Thankyou to all those who took part and a special thankyou to Barton.

TRACKS ARTICLES

Tracks have offerred to support Surfrider through publishing good quality editorial. If anyone has ideas for a story on behalf of Surfrider, give to the National Office a call for approval. Please remember that anyone making any statements on behalf of the organisation, even at Branch level, require the written approval of a Director.

SURFRIDER INVOLVED IN COAST TO COAST 2002 - NATIONAL COASTAL CONFERENCE

Surfrider will be conducting a competition for high school students in Tweed Shire and Gold Coast City Council areas to represent youth on the Hypothetical Panel for the National Coastal Conference. More details in upcoming editions!

The Conference is to be held from 4 - 8 November at Tweed Heads, with a theme of "Source to Sea". The conference will synthesise knowledge about current coastal issues and actions to address them. The Committee are calling for preliminary on-line expressions of interest for the conference at:
www.amlink.com.au/secure/c2c2002.htm including 'champions' to present key position papers, and specific issues and actions for the conference to address. An initial list of issues is on the website for discussion and prioritising by the end of February 2002 at: www.coastal.crc.org.au/coast2coast2002/ To express interest contact Sally Brown, Conference Connections, email: sally.brown@uq.net.au.

BRANCH COMMUNICATION

National Office would like to hear from those Branches and Beach reps that we haven't heard from for a while. Capricorn coast has a new newsletter we need, Sunshine Coast Branch, Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Northern Beaches, Southern Beaches.....love to know what's happening with the Sandon Point Protest, Kiama, what happened to our Branches on the NSW south coast, Tassie, and South Australia. We hope to have news of the formation of the Perth branch and Branch's attendance at the Big Day Out at various concerts in February's newsletter.

Queensland

QUEENSLAND COASTAL PLAN RELEASED

The Queensland Government has released its State Coastal Management Plan to take a more integrated approach to planning and managing residential and industrial development, ports, recreational activities, tourism, wetlands and catchments. The plan will provide guidelines for local governments and other agencies considering activities that might impact on coastal areas. Among issues covered in the plan are loss of water quality and protection of the coast's important ecological values. The Coastal Management Plan is scheduled for implementation in February 2002, with Environment Minister Dean Wells indicating the plan would have the effect of a State Planning Policy under the Integrated Planning Act 1997. Training sessions will be run early next year for coastal managers who will be guided by the plan. And while it hasn't yet been implemented, the EPA received the award for excellence in the environment planning and conservation category at the Royal Australian Planning Institute's annual awards. Further information call the Coastal Planning hotline on 1800 677 831 or www.env.qld.gov.au/environment/coast/management

MP CLASSIC

The Inaugural Michael Peterson Surf Classic is to be held in February 9th. Larry, Stuart and Kirra Surfriders Club, (who are Surfrider Club Members) are involved. Kirra Teams challenge is on March 9th. The Kirra club has offered S/F a side on their brand new tent and it will be at these contests.

Gold Coast

A NEW REEF FOR THE GOLD COAST

Gold Coast City Council has approved the construction of another $2M artificial reef at Palm Beach. Griffith University produced a master plan. We note that there has been no mention of surfing as yet and we also note that the fabled reef at Narrowneck was not constructed as per the original designs and has consequently failed to produce the goods. Surfrider has serious concerns about this proposal - is this just another form of coastal development to compensate for poor coastal management practices (Tweed River training walls, rock revetments etc etc) over the years?

CROWN OF THORNS

The distribution of the Crown of Thorns starfish increased during 2000, with the nasty critters moving south from Townsville. Inside sections of the reef are apparently at their worst since 1992. The good news is that reefs in Cooktown and Lizard Island appear to be recovering.

NEW STINGER ON THE LOOSE

Recent reports have come in that the tourist areas of North Qld have been threatened by a small, thumb-nail size jelly fish. This jelly fish can cause much pain and sickness with it’s sting and several areas are inundated with very large numbers of them and tourism is suffering.

New South Wales

CLEAN BEACH CHALLENGE LAUNCHED

Keep Australia Beautiful recently launched the Clean Beach Challenge in NSW. They have asked Surfrider to be involved, because they know cleaning beaches is part of what we do.

The Challenge is a community-based competition to enhance beachside communities and the environment by promoting personal initiative, civic pride and awareness at the grass-roots level. The awards include Regional Category Awards in 7 regions and a statewide category. The most sought after award will be that of NSW Cleanest Beach. For details call Michael Platt on 02 9633 3380 or email mplatt@kabnsw.org.au. Check out www.kabnsw.gov.au.

COASTAL DESIGN GUIDELINES

A Discussion Paper on Coastal Design Guidelines has been developed by the Coastal Council of NSW. Coastal Council, in collaboration with NSW Tourism, commissioned the Urban Design Advisory Service (UDAS) within the Department of Planning to prepare the discussion paper. Submissions are being called for on the Discussion Paper by the 1st of March 2002. They can be sent to: julie.conlon@planning.nsw.gov.au. Check out www.coastalcouncil.nsw.gov.au.

COASTAL DUNE MANAGEMENT MANUAL COMPLETED

The new Manual was launched officially at the annual NSW Coastal Conference by Bryce Gaudry, Member for Newcastle and Parliamentary Representative on the NSW Coastal Council. Production of the new Manual was the collaborative effort of a small group of committed practitioners drawn from Dune Care, Coastcare, DLWC and NPWS. Copies will be available for purchase from DLWC's Information Centre in Bridge Street, Sydney shortly. The cost is $20 incl. GST but post & packing is extra. Distribution to community "Care" groups, schools and councils, and to regional offices of DLWC and NPWS has commenced, but will take a little time. The new Manual incorporates three new themes:

· Ecologically Sustainable Development principles in keeping with NSW Coastal Policy.

· The value of integrated project planning that addresses the needs of diverse users.

· The value of community-government partnerships.

For more information contact Rod Kidd at rkidd@dlwc.nsw.gov.au.

Tweed Heads

A total of $3b development has been approved in the last 2 years and yet another development for Tweed is on the way. A $200M development at Pottsville, called Seabreeze has been approved. 600 lots will be built on 97 hectares. Meanwhile, developers Lenen P/L have been successful in a Supreme Court order against the government investigating the way Tweed Council handled planning matters of Seaside City project south of Kingscliff. The NSW Dept of Local Govt Senior Investigator Robert Bulford has been told not to deal with the project until March 2002.

Trawler operators have blasted the $75M Sand By Pass Project claiming it made the Tweed Bar more dangerous. Tweed Surfrider believes they forgot about the approximately $800M tax money spent on dredging before the project. Allow for costs of Seawalls and lost revenue, rates and Tourism due to erosion and lost houses and caravan parks as a consequence. It makes you wonder how over one billion dollars has been spent and the fishermen (who are decreasing in number), are still not happy.

Lennox Head

Lennox Branch is submitting entry for the clean beach comp.

We had an awesome film night as our fundraiser. We made $3000 thanks to the efforts of Rob McCrossin, Mel Mott, Carol Stevenson and John Tooler plus a few others who haven't yet admitted their involvement. They did an amazing job. We screened Dick Hoole's Storm Riders on the original 16mm. The tickets sold out and we raffled off a Phil Myers board too.

An issue we are facing (along with the Byron Branch) is the proposed marine park which includes Lennox Head. There is plenty of opposition but we are looking to counter that at our branch meeting this month with a speaker from the Byron Environment Centre. Hopefully a few more people will be informed as to the benefits of a marine park.

Janeane Waters

Sydney Eastern Beaches

After a hugely successful 2001 in terms of both environmental campaigns and also in raising awareness of SF in Sydney, we are already flat out like a lizard drinking into 2002. Our first public event is the twice-cancelled-hopefully third time lucky Ethnies Ocean Care Classic surf contest, to be held at North Steyne on February 5th in HOPEFULLY surfable conditions!

owever, even though the surf contest has eluded us thus far, the Ocean Care Day events held at Manly and Bondi on Sunday December 2 were huge raging successes. Surfrider stalls were held at both Ocean Care events, where SF members were also prominent on National Parks & Wildlife (NSW), Coastal Council and Sydney Coastal Councils Group information booths. Jodi Adams, tireless SF organiser of the Manly event, was a guest speaker on the big stage along with famed surfer and SF patron Barton Lynch.

Sights of the day: a slightly nervous but absolutely STOKED Barton Lynch being introduced to snake handling courtesy of Jodi, fellow SFer Pete Chappell (in his National Parks & Wildlife uniform) and a friendly little carpet snake...erstwhile Northern Beaches SFer Brendan Donohoe showing off his sharp patter as a calculating t-shirt salesman ("you want black, yeah we can do you black...maybe blue's more your colour though...or red").

Second is the art auction, being held under Surfrider's auspices on behalf of the Manly Environment Centre. The auction is taking place at Oceanworld Manly on Friday March 15, 6pm onwards, with donated works by a wide range of artists up for bids. The list of goodies is being finalised, but surf artists already featured include Earthnymph's Heidi Ledwell and Mambo's Jim Mitchell, and Barton Lynch is donating some collectibles. The ticket price includes yummy food, snazzy drinks and lucky door prizes. Contact Jodi on (02) 96607169 (nights) for details or ticket sales.

Jodi Adams

Victoria

PHILLIP ISLAND REPORT

An oil spill has occurred and has endangered the lives of many Penguins. Volunteers are cleaning them and watching over them as they are bound to be on land while their natural oils are revived to protect them from the cold and the water . This is necessary to enable them to go back in the water. A report from our Beach Representative in Phillip Island may follow.

MORNINGTON PENINSULA REPORT

A very merry Christmas to you! Hope you and yours have a safe, wet, festive and restful break!

While down the coast this week, keep an eye out for crude oil deposits that are appearing along the Peninsula following similar findings at Phillip Island last week. Contact Parks Victoria if you see anything. We copped a crude oil slick this morning while surfing out at Tiber Street. This very nasty stuff leaves permanent stains on surfboards and is extremely harmful to the marine ecosystem.

The Gunnamatta Outfall issue has been in the mainstream news again this week. The EPA has extended the community consultation process for another six months so we all have plenty still to do to try and achieve a satisfactory outcome. Well done to Rich, Mark, Virginia, Matt and others who helped with the huge boulder steps down to the beach at Central Avenue- an awesome job.

Iain lygo says that there is still talk of deepening the channel at the rip so that larger ships, (tankers and containers) can access the port. He says the proposed method of deepening the channel is by dynamiting the sandstone. There would need to be significant dredging in Port Philip Bay and these plans would have significant effects on Corsair Rock so a direct action campaign is on the cards if it is to go ahead. At the moment it is "under consideration".

et up with the seriously misinformed Natural Heritage and Landscape Protection Society who believe in preserving Pine trees along the coast - a small but very vocal mob who hug Pine trees, foxes and rabbits at Shoreham beach - they seem to have something against natural habitat - bizarre.

A Jeff Raglus exhibition is up at Antipodes Bookshop in Sorrento until 10th Jan so if you can get up to it, check it out Jeff's work is the goods.

Finally, Marine National Parks continue to simmer on the political backburner and a thumbs down to Parks Victoria who after meeting with Surfrider Foundation on Access to Point Nepean/Spooks went against the advise of Richie (who's surfed there for the past 15 years and knows more about the place than almost anyone) and destroyed the access track down from the London Bridge carpark. Some bureaucrats continue to amaze with their narrow-minded view in relation to difficult but solvable problems.

Best wishes & stay wet, Arthur

Tasmania

Matt Dell is looking into a submission received at the National Office from Environment Australia about a proposal to farm Kelp seaweed at King Island.

Western Australia

Save Smiths Beach Supporterwebsite or directly by clicking on the following link:
www.users.bigpond.com/surfrank/submission2002.html

SUBMISSION ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO STATEMENT OF PLANNING POLICY NO 7 - LEEUWIN-NATURALISTE RIDGE (IN RELATION TO SMITHS BEACH)

The maximum 25% residential component is still too high for an area designated as a "Tourist Node" with a predominant tourist function. Key points are:

- the need for protection of the visual amenity when viewing the site from outside of the site, and current standing legislation on maximum building heights for the area.

- Total population numbers for the development should be set as a clear figure. Total population numbers should not be determined by variables in other areas of the policy. Total population numbers meaning: the combination of short-stay and permanent populations.

The original draft Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge Statement of Planning Policy set the maximum population at 500 for a number of proposed coastal tourist nodes for the region.

The figure 500 is chosen based on other hamlets, coastal nodes and tourist nodes in the policy area.

I generally support the proposed changes to the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge Statement of Planning Policy in relation to Smiths Beach. My particular concern is that the visual amenity of Smiths Beach will be protected.

Finally, any Outline Development Plan will not be accepted without a rigorous examination of the methodologies used and extensive public input.

Frank

Additional Information

Information on the following is available by contacting the National Office at info@surfrider.org.au

Update - marine national parks Victoria

Earth Action, 1/16/02

SURFRIDER NEWSLETTER in French

Coastal Council News #10 - December 2001

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION AUSTRALIA is always open to receiving information to increase awareness of happenings in surfing and the management of the coast.

If you would like to forward us information to be considered for inclusion please forward to info@surfider.org.au.

This concludes January 2002 eNews.