Hovercraft model could be ideal
If we banned everything that annoyed us, half of those calling for a ban on jet skis may well find themselves being banned from driving.
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One solution to this issue could be to model jet-ski use off the marine park policy for hovercraft.
I own a small three-person hovercraft which I can't use on Port Stephens unless I have a permit issued by the marine parks authorities.
To obtain this permit there are a number of requirements which must be met; one being third-party public liability insurance of no less than $10 million.
Hovercraft are much safer and more ecologically friendly than boats or jet skis, yet we users are restricted to a much greater degree than both the aforementioned craft.
I can't find one case of damage to the environment, injury to fauna, injury to a third party of a fatality linked to hovercraft in Australia, but I can't operate mine in the Port Stephens marine park.
We make 4WD users buy permits to use Stockton Beach so why not the same with jet skis on Port Stephens?
This would make policing noise and behaviour much easier.
Bill Doran, Tanilba Bay
- Also read: Letters to the Editor, March 18
Open space needs protecting
I was only five years old when my grandfather (John) Neil Carroll passed away.
Since then I have had many conversations with my Uncle Danny Carroll and my mother Eileen Carroll about how some things came about in the Bay.
Eileen and Danny always maintained that Neil fought tooth and nail all the way to the High Court in Canberra to keep the Fly Point land from being developed because it should be maintained for the people, now and into the future.
Development was rejected in lieu of open space for all and sundry to enjoy because once it's gone, it's gone.
Fly Point is precious and any sort of structure or development should be rejected without consideration.
The Tomaree Peninsular desperately needs a museum but it needs the open space at fly Point 100 per cent more.
Greg Wilson, Nelson Bay
Changed parking a safety concern
In my opinion, Port Stephens council has created a major safety concern with the changed parking conditions in Bullecourt Street, Shoal Bay.
The 'no parking' sign on the south-west corner of Bullecourt Street was erected for safety reasons, this corner has a medical centre and a cafe on one side and a bicycle hire shop on the other. It is a busy pedestrian area, especially in peak times.
Removing this sign and replacing it with a timed-parking area all the way to the corner is, in my opinion, an accident waiting to happen.
Drivers travelling west on Bullecourt Street will have no way of seeing pedestrians or bike riders, especially children, until they enter the intersection in front of parked cars.
This is an accident waiting to happen and one that I feel Port Stephens Council will be responsible for.
And all this to accommodate the parklets in Shoal Bay Road.
Paul Buckley, Shoal Bay
- Also read: Letters to the Editor, February 25
Extra bins a welcome addition
As a former resident of the Moorings and current member of Landcare, it is good to hear that the Moorings Marina Committee are to add extra facilities for discarded fishing materials [Jetty closed for $90,000 upgrade, Examiner, News, March 18].
The only one that is there was donated by SPSB Landcare and regularly emptied by one of its members. Moorings residents have to use the public jetty to enter the private marina and in an ideal situation to monitor the disposal bins to ensure they do not overflow.
I am sure the public will look forward to maintenance work being completed so that the rusting gate on the public jetty can be removed.
For the safety of the public, permission was given by Port Stephens Council for a gate to be placed temporarily while works were carried on.
Irene Jones, Salamander Bay
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