Action: Andrew Katos checks the surf at Bells Beach this week.
ERIN PEARSON
SOUTH Barwon MP Andrew Katos has called in parliament for State Government action on the future of Bells Beach Surfing Reserve.
Mr Katos said Environment Minister Ryan Smith would now organise a meeting with stakeholders to discuss concerns over Surf Coast Shire’s Bells Beach master plan.
Bells Beach Preservation Society feared the plan, released last year, would turn the site into a “theme park” with surfing statues and more tourist coaches.
Mr Katos suggested an overflow car park “be formalised” into the reserve to accommodate toilet facilities and bus parking.
“We have to find a balance and I just don’t really believe the previous plan did that,” he said.
“As a new government we’re prepared to consider a broad range of ideas that the previous government was not. The goal posts can be shifted to get a better outcome.
“The meeting I have asked for is to…get on with the job of ensuring a world-class outcome for the Bells Beach reserve.”
Mr Katos said he wanted “broader discussion” between stakeholders including Bells Beach Advisory Committee members surfing bodies, environmental groups, the shire and other authorities.
The shire released a final draft of the Bells Beach master plan in September last year.
In March an Independent investigation found deadly asbestos strewn across the beach, threatening to close the reserve weeks before the Rip Curl Pro.
Former advisory committee members also reported concerns about drainage and car parking.
Bells Beach Preservation Society member Paul Hart said car park overcrowding remained a major problem and needed addressing.
“We don’t want coaches in the reserve,” he said.
“At 6am there could be 40 guys in the water, which means around 30 cars in the car park, so by 9am waves are six foot and pumping then the coaches arrive – it’s unmanageable.”
Mr Katos said he would meet with stakeholders later this month.
