Consultation on kitesurfing zones near Woodman Point Fairy Tern nesting area

The City of Cockburn's response to the Cockburn Gazette, 2 July 2021 about kitesurfing zones near Woodman Point Fairy Tern nesting area


Question: What is the City currently proposing in regards to the increased measures to protect fairy tern nests at Woodman Point? What is the current proposed exclusion zone for kite boarders and wind surfers?
Answer: The City has met with a range of stakeholders including representatives of Kiteboarding WA (KWA) & Windsurfing WA (WWA) to talk about the project and is awaiting their feedback in relation to a suitable exclusion zone.
 
Question: What is the rationale for the proposal? What would such an exclusion zone allow?
Answer: The Fairy Tern Network and Birdlife Australia have advised that the shadow of a kite board sail may be seen by the Fairy Terns as a predator. The aim of the exclusion zone is to prevent sail shadows falling over the Fairy Tern nesting site.

Question: Who has the City met with so far to discuss these plans?
Answer: Representatives from KWA, WWA, Recfishwest, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions (DBCA), Cockburn Cement, Fairy Tern Network, Birdlife Australia, Perth NRM, Conservation Council WA and Murdoch University.
 
Question: What is the timeline for this to be brought before council? Are there further consultation sessions planned with stakeholders? What else needs to happen before the proposal is brought before council
Answer: The City is awaiting further feedback from the stakeholders. Elected Members will be updated on any agreed approach to establishing\protecting a Fairy Tern nesting site at Woodman Point, noting that the site is on DBCA land not under the City’s management or control.

Question: Anything else you’d like to add?
Answer: During preparation of the City’s Animal Management & Exercise Plan, which was adopted by Council in September 2020, Council requested an independent Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The EIA found that continuing to allow dogs at Woodman Point beach would adversely impact the area’s nesting shorebirds, including federally protected species that migrate annually from the northern hemisphere.
 
As a result, Council agreed to prohibit all dogs at Woodman Point between Ammo Jetty and south around the point to Jervoise Bay dog beach, consistent with the advice of the WA Government’s Department of Biodiversity Conservation & Attractions which has management control of the impacted reserves.
 
The City has received advice from the Western Australian Fairy Tern Conservation Network and Birdlife Australia that Fairy Terns may also perceive the shadow of a kite board sail as a predator, similar to the threat of approaching dogs.