Riverside dinghy ban starts

The signs advise dinghy owners of the important dates, including May 31, for the removal of all dinghies stored on the shoreline.

In December, the council voted to bring in a rule that prohibits dinghies to be stored along the shoreline, citing a proliferation of dinghies, environmental degradation and limited public access to the riverpark for the reason.

The City of Melville and local environment groups backed the decision.

At the time, members of the Bicton Environment Action Group said derelict and abandoned dinghies along the foreshore had become a huge environmental issue.

‘My wife has counted 180 dinghies along the Bicton foreshore, many of them derelict, never used and not from the city’s residents,’ Richard Collins said.

Last week Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey said the decision to prohibit the storage of dinghies was an environmental win.

‘We also want to ensure that all members of the community and visitors to the river’s edge are able to access this public open space comfortably and safely, and as the number of dinghies has increased at some sites this is becoming more difficult.

Total prohibition of dinghies comes into effect on July 1, 2014.

Mr Aubrey said it was a phased approach. ‘As part of the phased approach, owners of appropriately labelled dinghies will be able to register for temporary storage areas, which are to be allocated along Bicton Beach and Canning Beach foreshores, with the intent to revoke these areas completely by June 30, 2014.’

‘Following total removal of the dinghies, we will then be able to implement vital habitat restoration programs along foreshore areas, reintroducing healthy vegetation that once was there.’

But several residents said they liked the boats banked on the shore. Ian Johns said the boats added character and charm to the area.