Independent Member for Alfred Cove, Dr Janet Woollard MLA, is concerned that kite surfing incidents continue to cause problems for local residents in the Lucky Bay area of Applecross.

“Despite safety measures taken by the Department of Transport and the City of Melville earlier this year, constituents continue to contact me about kites landing on their properties and on the road,” said Dr Woollard.

“These ongoing incidents are not just worrying for residents but endanger the health and safety of the kite surfers themselves.”

The WA Kite Surfing Association is doing its best to educate and encourage its members to practise the sport safely. However, local residents are concerned a fatality will occur unless the City of Melville or the State Government implement measures to guarantee the safety of kite surfers, pedestrians and motorists.

Local resident Sid Wilson says that the combination of the kite surfers and the strong, unpredictable winds in the area is an accident waiting to happen.

“I have seen kite surfers landing in the middle of the road and almost getting run over, and have had kites landing in my garden and on my driveway for years,” said Mr Wilson.

“When there is a high tide, there are only a few metres between the shore and the road and there is no buffer zone to adequately protect the public who walk along the footpaths or drive on the road.”

Since 2007, Dr Woollard has been told by various Government Ministers that they will look at regulating the operations of kite surfing.

“I am pleased that the Hon Simon O’Brien MLC, the Minister for Transport, has commissioned a formal review of aquatic usage in Lucky Bay, as part of a wider review of aquatic usage in the Swan and Canning Rivers,” said Dr Woollard.

It is hoped that the City of Melville will do more to ensure the safety of kite surfers, pedestrians and motorists while this review is underway.