22/04/2010 Have your say on foreshore dinghy storage

The community is invited to have its say on a draft management framework for dinghy storage in the Swan Canning Riverpark.

The Swan River Trust's draft framework Dinghy management along the Swan Canning Riverpark shoreline aims to minimise damage to the foreshore, without affecting recreational opportunities on and around the rivers.

"Storing dinghies on the foreshores can affect the Riverpark in a number of ways, including damaging riverbanks and preventing public access to the river," said Trust General Manager Rod Hughes.

"It has been an accepted historical practice for many years but as boat numbers and demand on the rivers grow, it has become increasingly inconsistent with our commitment to protect the health and recreational values of the Swan Canning Riverpark."

The management framework has the flexibility to allow dinghy storage to continue under appropriate circumstances, and aims to ensure equitable public use of the foreshore.

It also outlines how to reduce the effects of dinghy storage on the foreshore and allow sensitive areas of river shoreline to be rehabilitated. Support for councils to manage dinghy use and provide storage systems for the boating community is also discussed.

The framework is a recommendation of the Trust's Boating Management Strategy for the Swan Canning Riverpark (February 2009) which guides the sustainable management of boating activities.

Public comment on the draft closes at 5pm on 16 July 2010. The framework and supporting discussion paper are available on the Trust website www.swanrivertrust.wa.gov.au, by phoning 9278 0900 or in person from 1st Floor, Hyatt Centre, 20 Terrace Road, East Perth.