Letters to the Editor: Surf reef sparks debate, mayor responds, and man searches for ‘ethereal lady’

In this week’s letters to the editor of the Albany Advertiser, a reader shares their thoughts on the planned artificial reef, the mayor responds, and a film buff looks for love.

Letters to the editor must contain the author’s full name, address and daytime contact number. Letters may be edited for space, clarity or legal reasons.

Email news@albanyadvertiser.com or post to PO Box 5168 Albany, WA, 6332 or submit your letters via our website albanyadvertiser.com.au through the feedback section.

‘Surf plan a threat to coastal assets’, John Robertson, Albany

It appears, according to our mayor all we need now is a barge and a pile of rocks and in no time we will have a pristine surf reef at Middleton Beach (Advertiser August 17).

This is after the Federal Government has pledged $5 million in taxpayer money to a project that has the potential to create millions of dollars damage to the beach in the inevitable event of unforeseen weather that is occurring on a regular basis around Australia and the rest of the world.

All this, so hardworking mums don’t have to drive their kids 20 minutes to an area where natural surf is, and other lame reasons including financial benefits to our City etcetera, and ego.

Since former minister Troy Buswell came to town with a pocket full of tax cash for bike tracks, we have had many bits of hoo ha.

Albany becoming the mecca for bike riders in the southern hemisphere was a doozy.

Many arguments (I can’t remember how many times I was attacked by those who had good intentions but narrow self-centred minds) and we ended up with (my prediction) a half-hearted effort where $463,000 was spent widening Golf Links Road a metre either side and lowering the speed limit, and doing the same on the port road in the middle of the night at a cost we will never know.

It amuses me that the State Government thinks bike riders in Albany are cleverer than those in Perth.

Other bike-riding projects have ended with tracks to nowhere, Aberdeen Street comes to mind.

How about our council with a new mayor and a possible refreshing positive direction, fix up the past and think of the future?

Here’s a thought — why don’t we direct the surf reef money into a positive direction for both bike riders and surfer dudes and help the over-worked mums?

Build a bike path from Albany to the natural surf area and complete the half-hearted direction that is in place at present.

It amuses me that the State Government thinks bike riders in Albany are cleverer than those in Perth.

Why? We in Albany only need bike paths half the width of those in Perth.

As I have said in the past, I will support the surf reef on the provision those who have proposed and supported the reef will sign a binding document obligating them to any future cost to any damage created by chucking a bunch of rocks off a barge to make a few people happy.

‘Study says reef is safe’, Mayor Dennis Wellington, Albany

Firstly, I commend the dedication and passion demonstrated by the writer (John Robertson) for the wellbeing of our community and the preservation of our natural environment.

It is evident that the concerns raised are grounded in a desire to ensure responsible and beneficial development for our region.

As a member of this community, I understand these concerns and am equally committed to the prosperity and sustainability of Albany into the long, medium and short-term future.

The Southern Ocean Surf Reef project has been the desire of dedicated and passionate local community groups for two decades. These community groups live and breathe our coastline in both a recreational and environmental sustainability point of view.

The reef aims to provide an easily accessible surf break as the closest surfing locations are around a 30-minute drive from Albany.

Additionally, these remote beaches often prove to be too dangerous for beginner and junior surfers.

As part of the initial consultation, the community was surveyed and revealed an overwhelming 90 per cent project support to deliver a consistent surfable wave, expand recreational amenity and allow these activities to be undertaken at a patrolled beach close to town.

The Southern Ocean Surf Reef project has been the desire of dedicated and passionate local community groups for two decades.

A detailed and engineered design has been extensively modelled, both numerically and through physical reconstruction of the bathymetry of the seabed, to ensure all risks were considered and adequately addressed.

With the assistance of the City of Albany, community groups have been able to secure funding from both State and Federal government bodies towards the project’s implementation to ensure their vision is realised.

When it comes to bike paths the City undertakes a complex capital works program annually that identifies infrastructure such as paths that need to be created, upgraded or extended and seek the necessary funding within a time frame that suits the community, contractors and potential government funding streams.

Should any community member wish to provide feedback or report issues with infrastructure within the City they can do so by calling the City of Albany or using the Report It function on the website.

A range of documents, information and FAQs regarding the Southern Ocean Surf Reef can be found at https://www.albany.wa.gov.au/council/projects/live-projects.aspx.

‘On the edge of my seat at movies’, Paul Ryan, Ocean Beach

This past Saturday at Orana Cinema, whilst watching the new Oppenheimer film, I found myself seated next to an ethereal lady with raven-hued hair and deep, dark mesmerising eyes, accompanied by her lovely friend (who was working Sunday).

Our brief moments and conversation afterwards (around the latest Will Smith book), left me with profound butterflies.

Alas, in my haste, I failed to ask for her name. If you happen to read this, or if someone knows her, I’d love another chance to continue our story.