Been out of Kiting for a year or so due to an injury, went for a quick drive to safety bay for a gander at the state of the pond , GEEZUS , it's farked . Was there at 10 am didn't see anyone , is it still able to be used ? Such a narrow exit to get out the back . And way shallow over the bank . Are the usual crew still there? Or is it matter of Kiting penguin island side these days . Cheers for any advice.!
Yeah, it's a bit rough looking isn't it. I wonder if the boats can even get out from the ramp as the sandbar is so close now.
Yeah exactly mate, it seems the local council has basically given up on the situation. Massive waste of investment at that boat ramp. Can't imagine the inside part is gonna be a friendly place if it packs out like years gone by . Oh well what are ya gunna do . Other side I guess
Select to expand quoteBit fishy said..
Been out of Kiting for a year or so due to an injury, went for a quick drive to safety bay for a gander at the state of the pond , GEEZUS , it's farked . Was there at 10 am didn't see anyone , is it still able to be used ? Such a narrow exit to get out the back . And way shallow over the bank . Are the usual crew still there? Or is it matter of Kiting penguin island side these days . Cheers for any advice.!
I went out today and its 'interesting'. The tide is pretty low at the moment, so I launched on the outside. When the tide is just right there are some nice smooth sections in places. Maybe we need an artificial sand bar on the outside to get back the old conditions?
I am not sure about the dredging. Winter can change everything but when you consider the yacht club used to be on the water...
Yep, the pond is closing up. Worst Ive seen it. I don't know if the council will do anything this year. If they don't then it will surly close up by this time next year. If they do it will create one hell of a stink and give to pondies something to complain about. And with good reason too. Because no doubt, if they start dredging it will be right at the beginning of the kite season like they usually do. The tide is always very low this time of year. I use the boat ramp too. I haven't been out for ages but last week when I did, I had to get out of the boat and push is across the sand bar because the channel that they made last year is now completely covered by the sand spit to the south. Mother nature will eventual win. She gave is the pond and she will take it away. The pic below is of the pond area from 1995 to 2015 .
First one taken late 2019 from left of jetty, can see the sand bar in the distance, not even in line with the jetty.
These were taken just a couple of days ago but from the right of the jetty. I could easily have thrown a tennis ball with my opposite hand and hit the boat that's parked up on the sand.
Council minutes say they want to start digging 30000m3 asap from end of sept (excavator and trucking style). They were working through the red tape to tender and award the work, so I guess it is imminent. The council seem very keen to preserve the pond and ramp access, but they are certainly up against nature here, and the cost and the restrictions of the marine park. I just hope it doesn't close up so much it goes rancid, that is the worst case I think.
Great info fellas . Cheers. Been in water sports for 30 years , remember windsurfing early 90's down there . Yacht club to pengo's was well deeper , still possible I know. But since Kiting, and pond development years ago,it is a top place . Be an absolute shame if it becomes a lake. Cheers SimonM for the heads up on council info. They obviously understand that the place brings in some money. as stated, Mother Nature will eventually win , council will eventually give up , don't know what a FIX is going to be . Reckon make the most of 2023/24 flat water, be happy with the memories of an epic place .
Excavation of Bent st navigation channel and Tern Island will start from the 23rd of October for 5 weeks.
Cheers people , appreciate the info on the pond . I'm not a "local" and don't play Facebook, so miss out on the gossip. Thanks legend's.
I hate to say it but I feel nature will win this one over time...Perhaps the pond may move down the beach in 15 years.
The dredging seems to work albeit temporarily.
The pond is done for now.
Can basically jump off the jetty and land on the island,
such a shame :(
council have given up now and won't be dredging again either as it cost almost $1 million and didn't do sweet F all last time (don't blame them either)
Select to expand quoteMadda said..
The pond is done for now.
Can basically jump off the jetty and land on the island,
such a shame :(
council have given up now and won't be dredging again either as it cost almost $1 million and didn't do sweet F all last time (don't blame them either)
Its pretty much an actual pond now. As much as it looked like the dredging was to a degree helping, pretty sure that is what has actually caused the influx of sand, and made it what it is now.
such a shame to see it go
Been out a couple of times last month, apart from low tides and the humungous sandbar the Pond was pretty well business as usual. I generally walk my kite over the sandbar. Too chicken to risk the narrow gap that close to the jetty and pine trees. Had a lot to do with preventing the Warnbro dunes being bulldozed many years ago. The sand has been scouring from Long Point and dumping it at Safety Bay forever. It will eventually form a lake similar to the lakes north of Safety Bay Road did. It can't be stopped, Council will have to stop trying eventually. Can't fight nature. Another pond will no doubt start forming on the southern end of Tern Island eventually.
