BREAKING POINT
Fight over Winkipop lookout
SURFERS are making waves over plans for a new viewing platform at Bells Beach — a move they say will destroy the surfing spot.
The Surf Coast Shire says the elevated 60m-long timber walkway would replace the existing “degraded concrete pathway leading to the Winki lookout”.
But resident Maurice Cole, who is leading the fight against the platform, called it an “abomination” that would destroy Bells Beach.
SURFERS are making waves over the construction of a new timber viewing platform at Bells Beach – a move they say will destroy the surfing spot.
The Surf Coast Shire says the elevated 60m long timber walkway would replace the existing “degraded concrete pathway leading to the Winki lookout”.
It says the elevated walkway will improve the experience for visitors and regular users, help the Rip Curl Pro competitors and their coaches view the Winkipop break during the event, and help shorten the event’s set-up and pack-up period.
Councillors will vote on the plan at tomorrow night’s meeting, with shire officers recommending they give it the green light.
Long-time resident Maurice Cole, who is leading the fight against the viewing platform, called it an “abomination” which would destroy Bells Beach.
“Everybody I know is opposed to a 60m long walkway,” he said.
“There is nothing wrong with the path right now, we don’t need to spend $200,000plus of taxpayers’ money to build a viewing platform to save the WSL ( World Surf League) and Surfing Vic $2000 to $3000 a year on scaffolding.
“It will ruin it, it will ruin the view from the water, it will just be a big gaping eyesore.
“This is an abomination – how much more do they want to destroy Bells?”
The Surfrider Foundation has also joined the fight against the proposed platform, with Surf Coast branch secretary Darren Noyes-Brown declaring Bells Beach an area that needs protection.
“Bells Beach is treasured because of its natural values. That’s what brings people to Bells,” he said. “It is not something to be exploited for commercial gain.”
The proposal to construct a new timber viewing platform is among a number of recommendations contained in the updated Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve Coastal and Marine Management Plan 2015-2025.
The report says some respondents objected to the elevated pathway “in the mistaken belief that the walkway had been specifically requested by the World Surf League”.
It went on to say that history has shown that adding, replacing or changing any infrastructure at the reserve will attract a variety of views.
Writing in the plan, Mayor Rose Hodge said the growing tourism appeal of Bells Beach created additional pressures.
“Large tourist buses cramming car parks and bringing more people, diesel fumes and litter, for example, often sparked tensions between surfers and visitors, and threatened to ruin much of what makes the area such a special place,” Cr Hodge wrote.
Opposition to the proposal has spread to Senator Sarah Henderson, who said she was concerned to learn about the shire’s plans. “Bells Beach is a surfing sanctuary and must remain so,” she said.