According to OZPWC , the inevitable finally happened, PWC were permanently banned during the summer along some of Australia’s West Beach. Personal watercraft and motorized boats cannot come within 200 meters of the shore between the River Torrens outlet and Grange Road between sunrise and sunset from December 1st and March 31st.
This has been an ongoing battle between the State Government and Charles Sturt Council. The Council previously asked for a permanent ban and the State negated the idea in favor of the Council reapplying every year for the jet ski exclusion zone. The community complained on a regular basis about the dangers of jet ski riders and swimmers having far too many sketchy close calls and the Council was tired of reapplying for the special exclusion zone every season.
Charles Sturt Council Mayor Angela Evans was thrilled with the latest outcome. “The introduction of these new regulations achieves the same safety and environmental benefits as the previous Aquatic Activity Licenses without the need to apply for these licenses on an annual basis and removes the liability responsibilities away from council,” she said.
Western Adelaide Coastal Residents’ Association president Jim Douglas agreed and said the ban was “a good outcome for the community and a great decision by the government.”
The residents are currently working on a way to get the word out to surrounding communities and jet skiers. Personal watercraft operators face fines up to $160 plus the victims of crime levy which may be an additional $1250 set by the courts.
