Author: David Kavanagh

THE City of Albany will apply to Governor Kim Beazley to implement a new local law that would allow people to stay in their boats at the Emu Point Boat Pens the City council voted to approve it.

On Tuesday night it was not all-smooth sailing when item CCS200 to approve the final draft of the Jetties, Bridges, Boat Pens and Swimming Enclosures Local Law and release it to public was raised.

Councillors Paul Terry and John Shanhun moved and seconded the motion.

Deputy Mayor Greg Stocks started proceedings by requesting an addendum be made to allow people to stay on their water craft at the pens for no longer than two consecutive days without written consent from the City.

Mayor Dennis Wellington said currently that the health requirements would not allow the City to allow guests to stay at the pens without written consent, as there was no potable water, ablutions or dump point for toilets on board.

“The question is if you want us to spend $100,000 on ablutions or not,” he said.

Cr Stocks said allowing people to stay at the pens for a short period of time would encourage visitors to come to Albany.

“I don’t think we should be creating ruleswhere we haven’t had problems in the past,” he said.

“If people have the facilities on their boat, why can’t they stay?”

Cr Terry said he was against the motion.

“If I was visiting Albany on a yacht, I wouldn’t stay at Emu Point,” he said.

“Most visiting yachts would stay in the town marina.”

Cr Stocks finished the debate by saying if they voted against the motion all they would have is civil disobedience.

“Let’s not create more red tape,” he said.

“Let’s not be the fun police.”

Councillors voted to approve the draft law nine to four with Mayor Dennis Wellington, Cr Terry and Yakamia councillors Chris Thomson and Alison Goode against.

Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sharpe will submit an application to the Department of Local Government to make an application to Governor Beazley to approve the new law.

SHEARER Wayde Alan Hambley will spend the next seven months in prison after he was sentenced for driving with a cancelled licence in Albany Magistrates Court last Thursday.

The 49-year-old had his licence disqualified for life on January 15, 2003 but was caught behind the wheel of a Ford Territory station wagon in Cranbrook shortly after 9pm on September 26.

Prosecuting Sergeant Dave Loverock said this was the fourth offence Mr Hambley had committed since the permanent disqualification.

He said the accused recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.12 when he was stopped, exceeding Western Australia’s legal limit of 0.05.

The court was told Mr Hambley was working as a shearer with his partner and stepson at the time the offence was committed.

His defence counsel Liz Hamilton said her client had been drinking and intended to drive the car a short distance from Cranbrook Hotel to their accommodation because he did not want to leave expensive shearing tools in the vehicle.

“The vehicle wasn’t lockable,” she said.

Magistrate Raelene Johnston said Mr Hambley had not learned from a suspended imprisonment order served to him previously.

“When people continue to drive while under suspension, they are wilfully defying the law. People do not significantly appreciate that that’s a jail-able offence,” she said.

“It’s not just a case of you driving while under suspension. You were intoxicated and you chose to drive.

“You thought the safety of the tools in your vehicle was more valuable than the safety of individuals on the road.

“An immediate term of imprisonment is appropriate.”

Mr Hambley was served further disqualifications and fined $1700 for the drink driving offence.

He waved to his mother in the back of the court as he was taken into custody.

“See-ya mum, love you,” he called.

THE City of Albany has awarded a tender for the detailed design of an artificial surf reef at Middleton Beach to a company with proven experience in artificial reef structures.

Bluecoast Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd specialise in coastal engineering, monitoring and management, modelling and design, and climate change resistance.

Their previous involvement in the feasibility study for the reef project, and the Emu Point to Middleton Beach Coastal Adaptation work in 2017, has given them experience working with Albany’s conditions.

Albany Boardriders Club President Dave Beeck said having an artificial surf reef was finally coming to fruition after nearly 30 years of petitioning local government and members of parliament.

“There is nice, clean swell at Middleton Beach in winter, but no breaks,” he said.

“If you’re a kid that doesn’t have parents that surf, there’s no where to go that’s close by.

“Having a reef that is surfable for beginners will be great.”

Mr Beeck said creating surf at Middleton Beach would not just be positive for the surfers.

“Wherever there is surf break, the property price skyrockets,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sharpe said the Bluecoast team is recognised for their innovative approach to employing cutting-edge technology and research in their work.

“They have proven experience in artificial reef structures and the challenges a project like this presents, having recently completed the successful Palm Beach artificial reef on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“Our major projects team will work closely with Bluecoast on this detailed design phase to get a better picture of what structure design will work and what it will cost to build.”

Regular users of Middleton Beach and key stakeholders will be consulted as part of the detailed design, with a Project Steering and Working Group already established and a community forum planned for early next year.

The City is also partnering with the Wave Energy Research Centre based at Albany’s UWA Campus to peer review the design process and strengthen confidence in the design.

Mr Sharpe said the centre had already made a significant contribution to the work to date.

“The Wave Energy Research Centre has expertise in waves and coastal processes, along with Albany-based research infrastructure that will be invaluable support to the detailed design process,” he said.

The State Government committed $5 million towards the Albany Artificial Surf Reef at the last state election, allowing the detailed design phase to progress.

The detailed design process is expected to be complete in mid-2020 and will allow further funding to be leveraged to build the reef, which is currently estimated to cost $9 million.