‘No say’ for tours: Bells ban surprises bus operators

By Erin Pearson
SURF Coast Shire failed to consult tour operators before announcing plans to kick buses out of Bells Beach Surfing Reserve, according to an industry representative.
Go West Bus Tour managing director Terry Smit said 40 per cent of his tours visited Bells but the shire only contacted him after revealing the buses plan last week.
Tourism industry operators wanted “mutually beneficial” facilities for buses and surfers, he said.
Tour operators were even willing to pay for access if the shire fixed the reserve’s “unreliable” toilet block, he said.
“I’m aware there has been an amount of agitation from surfers but I don’t think the coordination of discussion has been the way it should be.
“Any dislocation of our ability to visit Bells Beach would be undesirable. Buses parking 15 minutes down the road or in town isn’t viable.”
Mr Smit said operators would be happy to park in the eastern side of the reserve out of the existing area for buses if the shire provided facilities.
He defended his passengers against perceptions they were “bloodsucking non-contributors to the local community”.
They simply wanted to enjoy the beauty of the reserve, he said.
The shire began digging up bitumen and vegetation to improve parking bays for six coaches late last month.
Bells Beach Preservation Society President Maurice Cole said the shire had stonewalled both surfers and tourism operators.
“There has been little or no community consultation,” he said.
“The new parking arrangements installed the other week cost around $70,000 and just weeks later the shire is saying it’s considering removing buses from the reserve. What a waste of money.”
Barrister and former Bells Beach advisory committee member Andrew Dickenson was concerned the shire was rushing through changes to its Bells Beach master plan.
He believed the shire wanted the issue out of the spotlight before Easter’s Rip Curl Pro.
Mr Dickenson urged the shire to deal with the issues “properly”.
Surf Coast Shire refuses to answer questions from the Independent.