Marine safety officer David Mattner talks to jet skier Darren Lamp at West Beach. Picture: Calum Robertson

A NEW jet ski exclusion zone trial in Adelaide’s west is being hailed a success even though no fines have been issued.

Charles Sturt Council has taken the approach of educating rather than fining riders who breach the zone which extends 200m offshore between Grange Rd and the River Torrens outlet at West Beach.

The Transport Department has also been patrolling the exclusion zone since it was introduced on December 22.

Neither the department nor the council would release details about how many riders had been cautioned but Western Adelaide Coastal Residents Association president Jim Douglas said he had seen three incidents between New Year’s Day and Friday, January 3.

On all three occasions riders had come within the zone from further out at sea.

“There have been a few incidents but every time it has been reported the council or the department has responded and spoken to the riders,” Mr Douglas said.

“A lot of the riders who have breached the 200m zone seem to not have known it is in place but they are happy to cooperate once they have been told.”

Riders can be fined up to $750 for coming within the exclusion zone, which was established following years of complaints from locals about some jet ski users travelling too close to swimmers and risking people’s safety.

The trial will run until March 31 and the State Government has flagged the possibility of introducing similar exclusion zones at other beaches.

MORE: Govt eyes extending jet ski ban

James Curran, a former Australian sports class jet ski champion and Jet Ski Boating Association of Adelaide member, has been lobbying for a jet ski-only zone near the West Beach boat ramp.

He said he had heard no complaints about the jet ski exclusion zone but questioned its relevance.

“If they can commit to extra resources to police the zone why couldn’t they just police the idiots that break the rules in the first place,” Mr Curran said.

Outside of the zone, jet ski riders are permitted within 200m of the shore as long as they are travelling at less than four knots, there are no swimmers within 50m and they are at least 30m from a jetty.

Henley Surf Club captain Tom Lanyon said he expected it would take a while before people were aware the zone was in place.

“The majority of riders coming within the zone are unaware they are not allowed to be there and once they are told they seem to be sticking to the rules,” Mr Lanyon said.

West Beach Surf Life Saving Club president Peter Zuill said he had not noticed any riders coming within the zone.

A Transport Department spokeswoman said: “Putting a restricted zone in place removes all potential risk to swimmers.”

Residents can have their say about whether the exclusion zone should be kept after the trial at www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au.