Lennox Point Surfing Reserve proposal to go before council
Ballina Shire Council on Thursday will be asked to support the nomination and dedication of Lennox Point as a National Surfing Reserve.
Councillor Alan Rich will move that the council supports the nomination to the Australian Surfing Reserves and Sites National Reference Group and the NSW Government.
In his notice of motion, Cr Rich said: “In April the chairman and deputy chairman of the Australian Surfing Reserves and Sites National Reference Group (ASRS NRG) visited Lennox Head to propose that I work with them towards the establishment of Lennox Head as a National Surfing Reserve (NSR).
“Following that visit a community committee was formed consisting of nationally respected local members of the surfing community, prominent local surfers who are business professionals, representatives from local boardriding clubs, the SLSC, the Jali LALC and other surfing identities.”
The group, the Lennox Point National Surfing Reserve Working Group, met last week and unanimously supported the notice of motion to Ballina Council.
Cr Rich said that the National Reference Group (NRG) recognises that broad community support exists for Surfing Reserves and Sites of Significance to be declared in Australia for their contribution to Australian surfing culture and heritage.
“It is an effort to formally reserve areas of outstanding significance,” he said.
“The ASRS NRG recognises the intrinsic value of surfing to the nation’s cultural, sporting and economic wealth.
“It also recognises the need, where possible, to seek to protect and enhance the integrity of natural coastal recreational resources.
“This aim is to be advanced through the declaration of a series of Australian Surfing Reserves of significance to Australia’s surfing culture.
“Some 23 sites across Australia have been identified at this stage, some of which the NRG would like declared to coincide with the Centenary of SLSA in 2007.”
Cr Rich described a National Surfing Reserve as ‘a place or places that are exceptional due to the persistent quality of the waves, the intense usage of the beach/wave environment, and/or the natural characteristics and range of environmental values’.
Cr Rich said that the proposal to declare a National Surfing Reserve in Lennox Head had met with overwhelming enthusiasm and public endorsement.
“It is based on an appreciation for formalising and passing on the surfing knowledge and ethics of the elders of the surfing community through a tangible symbol of our surfing culture and its heritage,” he said.
“I am advised that letters of support from a range of community organisations and prominent members of the surfing community have been submitted for council’s additional consideration.
“This concept has been warmly received as an extremely popular win/win concept throughout Lennox Head, the shire and the district, which reflects positively on all involved.”
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Mr Rich want,s to get the reserve passed and then make amendments to the reserve charter to suit different user’s of the area.Wouldn’t it be better to get a plan sorted out before anything is finalised,as once the reserve is gazzeted it is going to be harder to change.My concern is that motorised craft are not allowed in a reserve[Mr Rich mentioned this to me in a phone conversation 2 week's ago]I haven’t seen or heard this fact mentioned in any interview’s,that would mean that fishing from a boat or tow surfing wouldn’t be allowed between flat rock and lennox [the proposed area ] i am sure the fishing comunity would not support such a proposal.these thing’s need to be sorted out before the reserve is accepted. Bill Hession Secretary Lennox Head Tow Surf Association.