Fremantle Residents Beach Users Association Inc., operating as the Save Freo Beaches Alliance

Preliminary position on the Fremantle Sailing Club proposal launching ramp and universal access ramp

Background

The Save Freo Beaches Alliance was formed by the community in 2009 in response to the Three Harbours Policy. It then established the Fremantle Residents Beach Users Association Inc., in anticipation that legal action may have been required, in which case a legal entity was needed that could mount such action. The mission of the FRBUA is to “Protect Fremantle beaches and ensure sustainable development which will support the social amenity and environmental integrity of the beaches and surrounding environment.”

The FRBUA, operating as the SFBA, has been “dormant” since 2009 when plans for the Three harbours development were abandoned. It has reactivated in March 2013 in response to the Fremantle Sailing Club’s (FSC) proposed small boat launching ramp and universal access ramp to be built into the northern end of South Beach, off the existing Success Harbour groyne.

Preliminary Position

Community opinions seem to be varied on this proposal, from those who are completely opposed to it, to those who would find the proposal acceptable (although most of those have specific design changes in mind). The SFBA Office bearers (Steering committee) have formed a preliminary position on the proposal. The key messages the Committee wish make on behalf of the SFBA are;

The proposal for an access ramp to enable people with a disability to swim should be separated from the FSC’s desire to build a ramp for junior sailor access. The two matters need not be linked and confuse the issue,
Other alternatives should be explored for disabled access in consultation with people living with a disability,. Indeed, it is noted that a new disabled seaside access facility, with a gentle ramp and matting to the protected seawater, and full toilet block have just been completed at Port Coogee, some 5 minutes away from FSC,
the current proposal is highly likely to negatively affect non boating beach users of the northern end of South Beach (little dog beach),
As a matter of principle, the ambitions of the private entity – the Fremantle Sailing Club - should not impact on public beaches, public beach users and public amenity,
The SFBA wish to understand why FSC cannot accommodate the ramp within its existing land/ocean bed holdings,
The SFBA is concerned the proposed ramp could represent an attempt by the FSC to expand its holdings into public space and that over time access by the public will be restricted. The possible extension of use of the ramp for other purposes by FSC members (eg launching motorised vessels off trailers) is a concern.
Any development at the public beach by a private organisation should not have any visual or negative impact for public beach users

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