Environment News

Surfrider Fdn. puts 'Bring Back Kirra' campaign on table

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 16 January, 2009 : - - The internationally renowned Surfrider Foundation has pledged make ‘Bring Back Kirra’ one of its major international campaigns in 2009. The Surfrider Foundation this week pledged to support the efforts of its national and local chapters as well as the local surfing and community groups to restore Kirra to its status as one of the world’s best surfing breaks.

The announcement comes as boardriders across the nation prepare to rally together with the Kirra Surfriders Club for a mass ‘paddle out’ demonstration at Kirra Point on Australia Day to raise the plight of the issue.

Matt Butel, director of Surfrider Foundation Australia, says that the organisation wholeheartedly supports the campaign initiated by the Kirra Point Committee (KPC) in 2007 to resurrect the waves of Kirra to their former glory.

“By bringing the Kirra campaign to the attention of a global audience via the international arm of the Surfrider Foundation, we hope that local and state governments will take notice of our plight and endeavor to find a solution to fix Kirra Point.

“Kirra really is a lost wave wonder of the world, and this is recognized by Surfrider” said Mr Butel, who is a member of the KPC. Surfrider Foundation, an international not-for-profit organization, has a long history of supporting highly successful campaigns worldwide to protect waves and beaches.

The decision to support the Kirra campaign comes hot on the heels of Surfrider Foundation’s successful involvement in the highly publicised ‘Save Trestles’ campaign to protect another surf break on San Onofre State Beach in California.

The ‘Save Trestles’ campaign ended successfully late last year with a decision to overturn the proposed Foothill Transportation Corridor South (FTC–South) .

“The proposed FTC-South was a 16 mile long, toll road highway that, if constructed would substantially degrade San Onofre State Beach which is home to the famous Trestles surf breaks, bisect some of the last open space in Orange County and pave over vital habitat for no fewer than seven endangered species,” Mr Butel said.

“Surfrider Foundation recognizes the importance of Kirra not only as a surf break but as a significant asset to the city of the Gold Coast both economically and environmentally...Our philosophy at Surfrider Foundation is one based on CARE; Conservation, Activism, Research and Education,” Mr Butel said.

The KPC, which represents a broad cross section of the community, with the help of Surfrider Foundation, aims to work to restore Kirra Point to its former glory while maintaining coastal security.

“Surf quality has deteriorated at Kirra due to the oversupply of sand from the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project combined with little storm energy to move the sand northward,” said KPC spokesman and coastal scientist Neil Lazarow.

“The effects on the beach and surfing amenity include the loss of Kirra Point as a surf break; subsequent overcrowding at other surf spots; the loss of Kirra Reef as an important biological habitat and recreational fishing and diving site; and diminished appeal of Kirra as a destination for locals and holiday makers alike.

“In its heyday Kirra was home to one of the world’s most desired surf breaks and has since become a great expanse of sand and water.” The Kirra Point Committee supports three primary goals to restore Kirra:

    * Ensure that dredged sand is deposited further to the west / north of the existing grid system and Kirra Reef.

    * The construction of a low impact supplementary outlet north of the Bay’s apex - in the Bilinga area. A new outlet would not only help to restore the existing surfbreaks and better manage sand distribution, but it would also create a new surfbreak in the vicinity of the outlet site.

    * Improved hands on management of the system, which incorporates the goals of coastal protection, better environmental outcomes and improved recreational amenity.

The achievement of these goals requires consent from all parties to the agreement, changes in operating plans; agreements and funding to conduct the necessary investigations, construct, operate and maintain infrastructure. Most of all, it requires stern political will.

The KPC was formed in 2007 to represent a range of local organisations and individuals and consists of a number of local identities such as Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew (ASP and Snapper Rocks Boardriders Club), Matt Butel (Surfrider Foundation and Kirra Surfriders Club), Wayne Dean (Surfing Industry and Snapper Rocks Boardriders Club), Bruce Lee (Surfing Industry and Snapper Rocks Boardriders Club), Steve Hunt (Media Hunt Communications), Neil Lazarow (Griffith University), Bob Moffatt (Marine Biologist) and John Rankin (Kirra Business Group) ), Andrew McKinnon (Kirra Surfriders Club and local media identity), Joseph Nowak (local community) and Daryl Green (Kirra Surfriders Club).

As a collective, the KPC believes that with a little effort careful planning and sound management Kirra point break can be restored to its original splendor.

For more information on the foundation refer to the Surfrider Australia website or for more information on the Kirra Point issue see the KPC website.

www.surfrider.org.au
www.kirrapoint.org/kirra

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Steve Hunt

Environment - Surfersvillage