Construction of artificial surfing reef at Cables Beach expected to go ahead

31/3/97

Construction of the artificial surfing reef at Cables Beach is expected to go ahead after this year's winter storms.

The popular Cables surf break is on the border of Cottesloe and Mosman Park.

Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore announced today that tender documents had been drafted for the project.

These would be completed with the inclusion of community views on their preferred method of construction.

He also announced the names of those who would be part of the public consultation and construction committee for the reef.

"The committee will be chaired by John Fuhrmann, the Ministry of Sport and Recreation's director of sport," Mr Moore said.

He said that the other members were Graham Moss, from the WA Sports Centre Trust; wave ski champion Natalie Fuhrmann, an original committee member and media representative; Keith Campbell, an engineer, member of the surfing fraternity and also an original committee member; Cr David Wilcox, from the Town of Cottesloe; Mosman Town Council engineer Martin Glover; Cleve Flottman from the coastal management facilities section of the Department of Transport; and Cameron O'Beirne, from the Ministry of Sport and Recreation.

Mr Moore said that delegates to a recent artificial surfing reef international symposium in Sydney had expressed envy at the careful and thorough planning which had gone into the Cables project. "Although studies have shown the Cables Beach site to be acceptable from an environmental perspective, I want people to feel comfortable that the State Government is meeting its responsibilities in this area," Mr Moore said.

"Depending on the reef construction option supported by the community, there is also potential for improving public access to the beach."

He said that advertisements advising interested groups and individuals on how to make a submission to the committee would be published within two weeks.

Media contact: John Fuhrmann 447 9837

Hartley Joynt 0419 982 508