Jet skis permanently banned from beaches in Adelaide’s west in summer
JET skis will be banned during the summer months along a series of western beaches, ending a long-running debate between the State Government and Charles Sturt Council.
Under the State Government regulations, the permanent yearly exclusion zone will prevent jet skis and motorised boats coming within 200m of the shore between the River Torrens outlet and Grange Rd from December 1 to March 31.
The council previously needed to reapply yearly to implement the ban and did so since December 2013.
The regulation transfers exclusive control over the coastline in the designated area to the State Government, meaning they are responsible for any liability claims that may occur as a result of incidents in the zone.
Last year the two parties debated on who should be responsible for such claims, after the council applied to the State Government to implement the ban on the condition that they take responsibility for legal claims.
Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan rejected that proposal, leading to the ban beginning later than in previous years and upsetting coastal residents who supported it.
Charles Sturt Council Mayor Angela Evans said she was very pleased with the outcome.
“The introduction of these new regulations achieves the same safety and environmental benefits as the previous Aquatic Activity Licences without the need to apply for these licences on an annual basis and removes the liability responsibilities away from council,” she said.
The council originally requested the ban in response repeated community complaints about near misses between jet ski riders and swimmers.
A Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure spokesman said that the regulations were supported by the public and formalised the arrangements in place during previous years.
Western Adelaide Coastal Residents’ Association president Jim Douglas said the ban was “a good outcome for the community and a great decision by the government”.
“Now we need to get the message out to the community and the jet ski riders, because it is a heavy fine if they break the rules,” Mr Douglas said.
Operators of personal watercraft caught in the exclusion zone may face a fine of $160, plus the victims of crime levy. The court penalty is a maximum of $1250.
The restriction applies between 1st December and 31st March in any year between the hours of sunrise and sunset.