Hi all,
I have been investigating issues surrounding the dredging/reclamation and construction of the new boat ramp in the Broadwater around the popular windsurfing/kitesurfing spots in “The Train” area.
What I have found is so disturbing, that I feel compelled to complain to Council and have arranged a meeting with the Council Project Officer in charge of the development next week!
As a keen sailboarder, I don’t want to give up this area without a fight!
I have MY ideas of the problems, issues and possible solutions but would like to represent a “Consensus” from the sailing community so appreciate YOUR feedback on the problems so I can raise at the meeting.
Could you please review the info below, my suggestions and give me your feedback on anything that should be added, removed or changed ASAP. I really need your help.
PS> If you have any images of boat/sailing near misses or general conjestion in this area, I would appreciate if you could email me a copy to: phillip.nott@philips.com
I HOPE TO SEE YOU SAILING AT THIS SPOT IN THE FUTURE!
New Boat Ramp in Stage 3 – Broadwater Parklands Development.
This new boat ramp consists of 4 lanes with parking for 35 large boats with an overflow area accommodating another 55 boats. That’s a total of 90 boats.To bring into perspective, the large boat ramp at “The Grand” has 2 lanes and parking for 25 boats.This boat ramp will inject a LARGE amount of boat traffic directly into the sailing area.
Dredging/ Reclamation of Sand.
The Gold Coast Waterways Authority plan to dredge the WHOLE channel along Marine Parade approximately 40 m wide. They will also be dredging Loders creek to improve access for larger boats.The plan is to turn this whole route into an alternative Passage for boats heading North/South instead of using the main channel. Stage 2 on the right side of the map (dotted line) will make this access even easier.
This boat channel will pass straight through the middle of the sailboarding/kitesurfing area.The Broadwater Parklands development will be used as the “dumping grounds” for all the sand.
WHY DOES EVERYONE SAIL HERE?
SAFETY!This is the ONLY area on the Broadwater where you can sail without having to venture out into the main boating channels risking serious injury.
This is the ONLY area that while busy with boats at times, is relatively free of boat traffic compared to the rest of the Broadwater.
It is the ONLY area open enough to allow sailing in the prevailing strong winds from both the SE and NE.
This area accommodates a variety of skill levels from beginners to advanced. With the shallow water, very little current, and offshore sand banks this is the ONLY area safe area with numerous kitesurfing schools teaching here.
ISSUES.
No Community Consultation.
The only info available to the public for the Broadwater 3 development is a “concept” drawing below. The drawing recently received (1st image) is completely different. The foreshore has a different outline with the Fishing Club in a different position. Which is correct??
No consultation or analysis of the effects of increase boat traffic from the new boat ramp on key users including increased risk.
No information on dredging or advising key users on the implications of such dredging including increased boat traffic resulting in increased risk to water users.
Unbelievably, the current speed limit in the area south of Central Ave, is 40 knots! Will this remain despite the increase in boating traffic and congestion in the area?
Increased boating means increased noise for high rise residents along the whole of Marine Parade.
No provision for Parking in Mitchell Park allowing easy access to Water. (unless you own a boat)
Many people access this area apart from sailboarders. Stand up paddleboards, canoes etc currently access the water from the existing carpark. The proposed carpark is located adjacent to the Gold Coast Hwy. Even without the reclaiming of land, this is an incredibly long way to carry equipment to and from the water.
What plans have been made to remedy this?
Is there a time limit on parking in this area?
Increased Traffic Problems.
Currently accessing the Carpark from either Gold Coast Hwy or Smith Street, is difficult due to this busy intersection. Smith St is the main motorway entry to the area with traffic backing up for a kilometre quite often. Adding a large boat ramp with a subsequent increase in traffic in and out of the car park will cause further delays to this important traffic route.
Conclusion.
There are over 70 other boat ramps located on the Gold Coast that boat owners can use and I am sure there are numerous other locations suitable for new ramp installations. There are also hundreds of other boat channels available for boat owners to use.The current water users of this area DO NOT have that luxury.
This current location is unique as it provides the combination of wind, shallow water, low current and reduced traffic offering a safe environment for these activities. There is nowhere else to go!
Councils’ proposal for a new boat ramp in combination with opening up the channel is jeopardising the safety of the current long time users of this area.
I would therefore like to request a postponement of works in this area to allow proper consultation and in depth investigation to prevent a safety risk to the current users of this area.
Phil, love what you are doing and back you 100%.
I just shake my head in what people now call progress!
Thank God someone like you has got the gumption to do something about it - Good Luck!
100 percent support from me Phil - this kind of development is so unnecessary - a boat with a motor can go anywhere - we can't!
Good luck!
PS You might want to include the accident Linda experienced in terms of safety -- how much worse will it be when this plan comes in!
Council and the Waterways Authority have failed to consult the public and is gearing this redevelopment towards boat and jetski users. Concentrating all high speed motorised water sports users into a small existing sailing area is a recipe for disaster and is increasing the safety risk for all users. Phil is kindly organising a meeting with the GCCC Special Projects Project manager to try and sort this mess out, anybody who wishes to join him for support is welcome. I suggest we go in hard to try for a complete boat ramp relocation. If this doesn't work we could at least negotiate for a few car parks instead of the current trailer only parks. The current council Major has a history of not listening to peoples opinions so this is going to be hard work. We are going to need all the support we can get.
If you want less accidents from kiters along that stretch, should get the council to remove all the trees whilst they are at it....
Nice one Phil
We'd only have to have a few sessions at the train with a GoPro to demonstrate the existing ad potential issues with safety. Of recent concern are the dangerous/illegal close proximity "drive by's" made by the local Jet Boats operators (you know the big red and Yellow ones). The bank is wedged between shallows/rock shoals/obstructive crab pots and a multitude of abandoned boats, its clearly already difficult to navigate. I would like to know what the plan is to manage these many obstructions before introducing more
Nick (Mistral Nick) and I were almost run over while approaching far sandbar (nearest the main channel) during a south easterly. The Jet Boat operator changed course directly for us forcing us both to take evasive action and passed within 20 meters of us, spraying us. In another incident the operator stopped and appeared to mock (encourage the passengers to laugh at) the sailor after causing them to fall in while avoiding a collision. Whilst this probably sounds "funny" to maladjusted persons the consequences of a mistake are so dire we now consider these operators untrustworthy and a accident waiting to happen, and that's a professional
There's already a landmark accident (the tragedy that befell Linda) This could have been even worse if it was a 30 foot boat
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Queensland/Windsurfer-hit-by-jetski-Monday-3pm-Gold-Coast/?whichpage=5&index=127
I mean how the hell is that road going to cope with the parklands/boat ramp traffic. Its a parking lot from pine ridge road over summer already
You have my support as well Phill.
The big problem if this goes ahead ,is that kites and windsurfers will be banned from this stretch of water as it will be a main boating channel.
Maybe contact kite surfing qld as well,
You would think they would support as they will be affected as well .
Got my support Phil, last time I sailed with you down there it was very dangerous with boats roaring past one of the worst was the air sea rescue boat they roared down the channel nearly cleaning Bisek & I up so this place needs to have less boats not more. I say make it a windsurfing only area.
This place has been used for windsurfing for years so why change it.
I was the one who fell in so I'll back Till Dark's account of how close the Jet Boat came and how it also came back after I fell in!
That and the cruise ship... What a great place the broadwater is going to become. 
Hi all,
Thanks for your support on this. As Tony suggested this is going to be difficult but we need to give it out best shot.
Have posted the same info on the kitesurfers website as they will be affected as well.
Gold Coast Waterways are well aware that especially on the weekend, the broadwater gets "out of control"
I know it is difficult, but we really need photos of the near misses and conjestion. We can then demonstrate that further traffic to this area is just not on!
Lindas accident will be certainly highlighted as an example of dangers faced in this area.
Select to expand quotePhilnott said..
Hi all,
Thanks for your support on this. As Tony suggested this is going to be difficult but we need to give it out best shot.
Have posted the same info on the kitesurfers website as they will be affected as well.
Gold Coast Waterways are well aware that especially on the weekend, the broadwater gets "out of control"
I know it is difficult, but we really need photos of the near misses and conjestion. We can then demonstrate that further traffic to this area is just not on!
Lindas accident will be certainly highlighted as an example of dangers faced in this area.
I wish you good luck on this issue Phil & all the Goldy sailors but I think you're fighting a losing battle down there against developers, Boating Lobby is huge in comparison to a few sailboarders & kites. Look what has happened at wello with the car parking there for example, council couldn't care less about us. I don't want to sound defeatist but this is why I left the GC in 2000 & moved to Noosa where the council here is anti-development & has spent millions over the years trying to stop developers ruining it, Motto up here is [We don't want to be like the Gold Coast] that's why there was such a huge outcry & battle after Captain Bligh forced Noosa to amalgamate with Maroochydore & Caloundra because of there pro-development policies, you only have to look at the ugliness of Caloundra from Golden Beach to see that
Thanks for the information Phil. I think this plan is not just about how windsurfers will be effected but all residents who use this park. Another boat ramp is a terrible use of that space. Just look at the Grand to see how well it mixes in. Why do they want more 'event space' there? Because they redeveloped Parklands. However, by adding this to the rest of the event space that's south of this is not the answer. Yes, they should improve this park. I personally think more trees and a 'ring road' similar to that at New Farm Park in Brisbane would allow much better use of this space.
i'd heard or read that the lands end bridge boat ramp was to be removed once they built this new one. Did anyone else hear the same thing?
Select to expand quoteHaircut said..
i'd heard or read that the lands end bridge boat ramp was to be removed once they built this new one. Did anyone else hear the same thing?
You know lands end will be filled up with all surplus "dero-boats" that are at the train once this development is done. Look at it in the last few months. I really like that spot but its too congested to enjoy the run under the bank now, unless i get a weedy i guess 
Looks like the trailer park will go soon and council will have their own Southbank. Whens the meeting I will com phil.
If we had a windsurfing club we would have more of a voice, as it stands we are the minority, but i agree with phil we must do something.
Just join WQ through a club and get them involved. I'm sure they could add some weight.
Select to expand quoteDAM71 said..
Just join WQ through a club and get them involved. I'm sure they could add some weight.
Just to put your battle into perspective I just googled Recreational Boat Numbers SE Qld and read a few surveys. Figures from 2009 one were, 769 businesses with an estimated turnover of $769,000,000, 4,500 employees, SEQ boat regos estimated to be 65,000 by 2016, Boat licences in Qld 723,506. Question, How many sail at the train regularly? How many sailors are in Qld? One business on GC [Surf Fx] who couldn't survive on sailboard gear sales alone! Good Luck1
Peter your not helping, don't you think we already know all that. Mate all we're trying to do is have a go. Could you please delete your last comment, you never know who is reading this thread. Thanks.
When too many boat ramps is just not enough...
http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/documents/bf/boat_ramp_facilities.pdf
It should be pointed out the boat ramp on the spit (with a massive carpark) would put the boat in the water meters away from this proposed one anyway. Not to mention the other (i think over 10)that exist in very close proximity.
Even if the estimates above are realised, boat owners will still only be a minority of the GC population. I am certainly not opposed to the boat industry however, the Broadwater offers much more that just boating. The message needs to be on catering for a variety of uses of this (waterfront) public space.
Great presentation Phill and thanks from all of us for putting your hand up to represent the windsurfers of Qld and give us a voice.
As we have discussed the plans are well advanced so your battle will be uphill but at the very least the planners will consider windsurfers when they plan the next ramp and you will have highlighted the danger boats and jet skis pose to us.
I think the chance of changing the entire plan will be low but it really is only the ramp that is going to cause a problem for windsurfers, the other infrastructure would I imagine enhance the sailing experience. It is good you are focusing your discussions on removing or re-locating the ramp as I feel this gives you a fighting chance.
I did a quick look on google maps and could find six ramps within 2.0km (as the crow flies) of the proposed development. One may be associated with a search and rescue ramp but otherwise the others appear to be public. Two are across the broadwater on the spit but these are both large ramps with a lot of parking and would facilitate a lot of boats. It seems ridiculous to place another large ramp facility on the shallow side of the broadwater when everyone using it will be trying to access the deeper channel on the eastern side. The western side is far more likely to attract swimmers and non powered craft like sailboards and kayaks etc and putting the two together is asking for trouble.
Sorry I can't make it down to the meeting tomorrow but I am confident that you and Tony will do a great job in representing the windsurfing community and I wish you the best of luck.
Hi Guys,
Today Tony and myself met with Jeremy Hall -Principal Project Officer of Broadwater Parklands and John Bendel Waterways Officer in charge of dredging.
A BIG thank you Tony for attending and backing me up!
A brief summary of the meeting below;
As per the presentation, our prime concern was safety and how they were going to manage this. They pointed out the need to accommodate the variety and breadth of community users. It was also noted that sailing conditions were generally unpleasant for boating and reduced numbers boats should be out during these times.
Boat Ramp.
Boat ramp is in locked in with plans drawn etc. Could not be relocated as the 3 closest ramps were unsuitable for upgrade. The Spit was also unacceptable due to the severe traffic conditions at various times. The suggestion to move the ramp south so the SE sailing path did not line up with the end of the ramp area was also unfeasible at this stage of planning. Lack of access was discussed and shared boat ramp parking after 1200pm similar to Wellington Point would be feasible. Images of these signs have been supplied. This means a certain percentage of the boat parking will be available to the general public to use after this time and makes a lot of sense. A request was made to have loading zones for boats available for a limited time (10min?) to load/unload gear etc. Response was positive to both suggestions so this will hopefully happen. Other parking near the street will be metered but the time limit is unknown.
Alternate Channel Dredging.
This was advised to be a “safety” issue for smaller boats sharing the main channel with larger vessels. Difficult to argue with this since we are also concerned over safety. The diagram below only shows half the channel! Stage 2 practically goes all the way to Sundal Bridge! Asked if the 6 knot zone near moored boat area in the northern channel area would remain in place but this is yet to be decided. They plan to clean up a lot of the moorings in this area and around the boat ramp for a better looking solution but did not elaborate where or what this will be. Queried speed limit in the rest of the channel and 25 knots was indicated.
We advised this is just not acceptable with the current, new boat ramp traffic and new channel traffic. We suggested making the whole sailing area a 6 knot zone (black outline). This appears to be the only option otherwise would face speeding boats blasting straight through the sailing/kiting area. The added advantage of this would be that those annoying jet boats and hire jets skis would not loop through this area. They can make inquiries on our behalf but recommended we put in a proposal.
The next comment put me in a spin.
“Does this mean the sailboarders/kiters will stick to the 6 knot limit as well.”
I can see boaties complaining “if we have to slow down why don’t they”
I would like to open comment and get agreement from both kiters and sailboarders if the 6 knot speed limit is the way to.
Also in the proposal do we include a statement sailboarders/kitesurfers excluded and face possible rejection of proposal OR do we leave this out and hope our excessive speed is not going to result in fines?
Timing of Works.
As with any public works times can vary but below is an indication.
Mitchel Park and boat ramp- Start Jan-Feb possibly finished by Spring?
Dredging Stage 1 – Start Jan- Feb and will take 3-4 months.
Dredging Stage 2 – TBD but approximately in 1 year. Note: the sand from this stage will be deposited on main beach for sand replenishment.
It’s not all bad news- with the dredging there will be more room to sail between the sandbanks and maybe some improvements in water quality.We obviously would like a better outcome today but have clearly raised our concerns to the appropriate groups and laid down the foundation for future discussions. If you need further info, not happy with the outcome or just want to complain feel free to contact the relevant officers.
With the imminent increase in boat traffic in the future, I would like to offer an important reminder.
Never assume that power gives way to sail, don’t take risks and do your best to keep out of the path of power boats!
While the work is being undertaken, might be worth trying somewhere else.
Hope to catch up at my new sailing spot!
Well done Phil and Tony. Thanks for representing the sport and highlighted the dangers posed by high speed powered vessels. It may take some time to work its way through but I am sure this will now play a part in the planners considerations and you may get some sort of provision that allows you to still hit your breakneck speeds while the powered craft need to slow down. As we discussed it may become a no wash zone, which considering the lack of wash from sailboards would still probably work.
So that's their public consultation done. 6 knot limit? Only the SWAT team would be allowed to sail there then.
Just found some info on how much they are reclaiming. Up to 84m - 240ft in some areas.
There wont be any water left!!!!!
Traffic is going to suck around there during events, especially if they are run over obviously bad times like school holidays etc..., do they realize that's the GC highway!? Probably slipped their attention 
Plus where will all the dog's poo? or will "dogs gone wild" still be allowed?
I recall reading there were plans to dredge the entire section from The Train to Wavebreak to make room for sailing regattas and the like. Alas my google force is weak today.
A channel or two, at the right angle (perhaps an 'X' or 'V' configuration), that is also a motor boat free area, would be unreal for windsurfers and the booming sport off kitesurfing.
One might even be able to argue that, when combined, nobody uses the Broadwater as much as windsurfers and kiteboarders. We certainly are very visual on the Broadwater on a windy day.
Food for thought. Maybe something good can come from this.
Have sent application to Gold Coast Waterways to make the whole kitesurfing/sailboarding area a 6 knot zone.
For more info see the link to the application below;
drive.google.com/file/d/0B2kiIzPoQEmvc0tjM19WZy1ZMHc/view?usp=sharing
