Damage revelations a ‘chance to save Bells’

Erin Pearson
AUTHORITIES should use claims of Bells Beach mismanagement as an opportunity for “positive change” in caring for the iconic international surfing spot, according to a member of the beach’s advisory committee.
Gordon Stammers, who is also a member of Surfers Appreciating the Natural Environment (SANE), said Bells needed an ongoing injection of funding to overcome environmental degradation.
State, federal and private funding were essential to upgrade the council-managed surfing reserve, he said.
Last week surfing legend Maurice Cole told the Independent that Surf Coast Shire had laid a complaint with police against him after he carried out “in-house” repairs to a drain pipe at Bells.
Mr Cole, who is also a Bells Beach advisory committee member, said he drilled two holes into the pipe to stop gushing water damaging an adjacent cliff face and washing away sand.
Mr Cole also revealed other environmental problems at the shire-managed reserve, including black sewage sludge leaking into bushland from behind a toilet block.
“A lot of the issues that Maurice has brought up have been ongoing for a long period of time,” Mr Stammers said this week.
Mr Stammers said SANE was confident Bells’ problems could be fixed.
“SANE believes the future of bells is looking very bright because of the community representatives steering the Bells Beach committee,” he said.
Mr Stammers hoped authorities would react quickly to Mr Cole’s calls for help.
“When people like Maurice, who feel very passionately about the issues at Bells Beach, are acknowledged and listened to it can only help speed up the changes that need to occur,” Mr Stammers said.
“The committee feels that Maurice perhaps should not have been reported to police over the matter and that it should have been dealt with in a meditated approach.”
Mr Stammers said the shire and the advisory committee were set to meet next month to discuss the shire’s master plan for Bells.