THE installation of closed circuit television cameras on the beach at Brighton-Le-Sands has been given the go ahead to combat problems with jet ski riders.
The move, scheduled to occur within three years, was among a raft of measures announced by Ports Minister Duncan Gay to improve boating safety on the Georges River and in Botany Bay.
Most of the initiatives were outlined in a draft plan released for public comment last year.
Mr Gay was joined for the announcement at Sans Souci by State MPs Mark Coure (Oatley), John Flowers (Rockdale), Melanie Gibbons (Menai), Mark Speakman (Cronulla) and Graham Annesley (Miranda).
"During the five years to the end of June 2011, there were 123 incidents reported on the waterway and almost all of these involved recreational vessels," he said.
"Of the vessels involved in these incidents, 38 per cent were open runabouts, 26 per cent were motor cruisers or cabin runabouts, 23 per cent were personal watercraft and 6 per cent were sailing vessels."
Mr Gay said new initiatives would include the trial of an aquatic park for jet ski riders at Floyd Bay, adjoining Chipping Norton Lakes, removing disused piles at East Hills and installing CCTV cameras at designated boating facilities.
Office of Boating Safety spokesman Neil Patchett said CCTV cameras were scheduled to be installed on the beach at Brighton-Le-Sands within three years.
Modern surveillance equipment had tremendous zoom ability, which meant cameras mounted on a beachside building could monitor activities up to 600 metres away.
Mr Patchett said Lady Robinsons Beach was popular with jet ski riders and conflict arose with swimmers, windsurfers and kitesurfers.
An education package, aimed at kitesurfers, would be developed to explain right-of-way procedures and promote courtesy towards other users.
Mr Patchett said options to restore or relocate Sans Souci wharf, which is largely covered by sand, would be explored.
A RAFT OF SAFETY STRATEGIES
Other measures include:
Kogarah Bay: Kogarah Council would be assisted to improve access from the Princes Highway to the Dover Park boat ramps.
Lime Kiln Bay: The Department of Primary Industries would be asked to remove derelict oyster lease infrastructure from the mouth of the bay.
Kyeemagh boat ramp: Due to very high use, often resulting in lengthy delays, a Boat Ramp Etiquette leaflet would be distributed, while ‘‘stronger compliance measures’’ would be introduced to curb speed west of the ramp.
Cooks River: To reduce conflict with rowers in the lower reaches, jet ski riders would be able to apply to use the intended aquatic park at Floyd Bay on a trial basis.
Muddy Creek: Options to restore the dilapidated public wharf.
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See related story: http://www.theleader.com.au/story/268332/beach-conflict-targeted/