Pittwater considers ski ban on ramp

JET SKI users say they will be shut out of the only boat ramp north of Mona Vale if a plan by Pittwater Council goes ahead.

In its draft plan of management for Woorak Reserve at Palm Beach, the council proposes banning jet skis from the ramp, even though the plan states the “historical use of the access way and boat ramp use to be maintained”.

But the council says use of the ramp and adjacent access lane has increased significantly over the years and that the ramp is now being used by commercial operators and the owners of large craft.

“The boat ramp is a local launching facility within a residential neighbourhood, not a regional facility,” the draft plan states. “Trailers are being parked permanently, or for long periods of time, in the reserve.”

The council wants to limit the size of boats and trailers using the boat ramp to exclude commercial vessels, contractors and large boats.

But it also wants to ban jet skis, which it says are a hazard to swimmers in the area.

But some say this will disadvantage local surf clubs and jet ski users.

Palm Beach SLSC member Jack McCoy says the ramp is used by members of Palm Beach and North Palm Beach SLSC to launch jet skis for training exercises and when the seas are too rough for jet skis to be launched on the ocean side of Palm Beach.

“We are stunned by this,” he said. “As an avid user of that ramp and a ratepayer of Pittwater Council, I find this action totally unacceptable.”

Submissions on the council draft plan of management close today.