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Yanchep Boardwalk protest

09 Aug, 2009 01:47 PM
About 80 people attended a jointly organised John Quigley and Two Rocks Yanchep Residents Association protest over the $500,000 plus Boardwalk that connects Ocean Lagoon Estate to Compass Circle in Yanchep.

The recently completed Yanchep Boardwalk has raised the ire of many local residents, with several saying they want it pulled down.

At today's protest meeting, Member for Mindarie, John Quigley, said: "The local people don't want this boardwalk, and I believe the City of Wanneroo should consider pulling it down."

Also in attendance at today's protest was a Member of the Legislative Council, North Metro Region, Michael Mischin, told the protestors that he would look into what could be done.

Mr Mischin also criticised the City of Wanneroo's mayor, Jon Kelly, for not attending the meeting to listen to what local residents were upset about.

WA Premier, Colin Barnett, had been invited to the protest. The premier did not attend.

Both North Ward councillors, Laura Gray and Norm Hewer attended the protest.

This boardwalk has been a contentious issue since it was first proposed approximately three years ago.

About three years ago, the City of Wanneroo presented the local community with a boardwalk proposal for comment.

Several residents objected that it was too close the their houses and requested it be more central in the foreshore area.

Residents state the City of Wanneroo's administration officers told the community they would hold another community meeting with the revised boardwalk proposal.

The next the local community knew it, was when construction started earlier this year.

The $500,000 plus boardwalk had been approved by the the council without one councillor seeing any of the plans or being aware that the structure would be up to five metres above ground with an additional 1.5 metre high safety railing.

Over the past two months, local residents have been protesting and requesting that the council pull down this monstrosity down.

The Sun City News understands it has been estimated it would cost over $750,000 to remove the boardwalk and revegetate the damaged foreshore area.

These types of boardwalks are being used in many locations in the eastern states where they help to preserve the foreshore and provide the user with a safe and maintaince free access way.

What do you think?

Add your comments to the Sun City News' website and don't forget to vote in the online boardwalk poll.

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comments


Date: Newest first | Oldest first
Why would you want to waste any more money?

$750,000 to remove the Boardwalk.

COW may have already overspent on an undesirable project.

I say get on with the Yanchep Foreshore Management Plan that has been talked about and promised for years (with funds even allocated in COW Budgets) at Yanchep Lagoon Beach.

Improve the car parks, fill in the pot holes, replace or repair the delapitated retaining walls and improve the substandard disgusting toilet facilities before you waste any money removing the Boardwalk.

There are far more ratepayers in the City of Wanneroo than 80 protestors.

I have trouble seeing 80 protesters in the photos.

Spend the money upgrading the Lagoon where we all can enjoy some benefit for our rate payments.

Posted by Brendo, 9/08/2009 5:44:24 PM, on Sun City News
The Bridge is an eyesore.

No thought has gone into the aesthetics for the area.

A great lump of shiny steel over natural bush against a backdrop of pristine ocean.

What where the City of Wanneroo thinking?

Good to see our North side councilors at the protest, but begs the question.

Where were they when the plans were submitted?

Should they not have had there finger on the pulse then and involved the community.

To Little to Late.

Posted by Leon, 10/08/2009 8:59:18 AM, on Sun City News
$750,000 to remove it - that's rubbish the City of Wanneroo never said that, that was just a figure a heckler called out at the protest.

Think about it, $525,000 to supply the materials prefabricate and erect them.

It is only a fraction of that to unbolt it and truck it away - no more than $50,000.

It's done more damage than that to the locals house values - take it away I say!

Posted by jsherman, 10/08/2009 10:54:56 AM, on Sun City News
I live in the Ocean Lagoon and can't believe they have erected something that in no way whatsoever blends in with the area.

It looks ridiculous, not to mention the amount of money out laid for this ugly structure!!

Posted by Craig Hoskins, 10/08/2009 3:21:25 PM, on Sun City News
I totally agree with Brendo's first comment.

Money should finally be spent on the Lagoon foreshore.

But I am getting concerned with all the development promised.

How many protests we are facing when this boardwalk is already raising so much anger.

Posted by Martina, 10/08/2009 5:46:42 PM, on Sun City News
I like it. I think it looks good.

I think the City of Wanneroo should be congratulated on a job well done.

If you don't want it, send it to Two Rocks.

We'll have it.

Ungrateful Yanchepites

Posted by Davo, 13/08/2009 12:00:54 PM, on Sun City News
Remove the eyesore and erect it over the ocean for the fisherpersons then ban them from the lagoon area.

Who thought of putting the boardwalk so high as to spoil the view from the houses on the front row?

It has got to go.

Posted by tina, 21/08/2009 7:29:54 PM, on Sun City News
The broad walk bridge is so unnecessary, an incredible waste of money, and a shocking eye sore. It is an indictment on the City of Wanneroo because any level-headed person who sees it will immediately recognise it's absurdity. What the local citizens need to do is name the bridge the "Jon Kelly Eyesore" and erect a sign next to it detailing its history and cost. IMHO, $500,000 of rate payer's money for that blot-on-the-landscape is an outrageous crime.
Posted by Mark, 1/09/2009 11:24:18 AM, on Sun City News
The broad walk "gantry" decreases the value of real estate in the Ocean Lagoon Estate.

Worst hit will be ocean view homes which have had their vistas decimated by this shiny, snake-like, monstrosity that sticks out like male dogs' testicles, and that in no way blends in with the local nature.

I believe that this monetary damage may be redeemable through a civil law suit against COW.

I say lets get legal advice for a possible joint action claim.

Posted by Mr. Livid, 3/09/2009 8:04:13 AM, on Sun City News
Instead of building that ridiculous "gantry" bridge over sand dunes, COW should have used the money to upkeep public amenities at the Yanchep Lagoon Beach.

Incidently, if you, injured yourself because of a pot hole accident, I believe that you could successfully sue COW for damages, which would have to include a payment for pain and suffering.

All you would need is a corroborating witness and a decent lawyer.

You could also suit for property damage if your car suffered damage as a result of driving into a pot hole.

Clearly, COW would be found negligent, particularly as people have complained about the pot holes in the lagoon car park which are an accident waiting to happen.

Posted by Why not sue?, 3/09/2009 8:29:22 AM, on Sun City News
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POLL
Q: Should the Yanchep Boardwalk be demolished?

Yes
(34.9%)

No
(44.2%)

Don't care
(20.9%)

Total Votes: 86
Poll Date: 09 August, 2009

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