By Grace Jones | posted on December 20, 2019
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.
