Surf cameras linked to Ministry's website have had almost 40,000 visits

23/3/99
The State Government's surf cameras have had almost 40,000 visits in their first two weeks of operation, Sport and Recreation Minister Norman Moore said today.
The cameras, linked to the Ministry of Sport and Recreation's website, had attracted interest from as far away as the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Switzerland.
"The Ministry of Sport and Recreation cameras, which monitor surf conditions at Cables, where the artificial surf reef is being constructed, and Cottesloe, attracted over 20,000 visits in the first week and 18,359 last week," Mr Moore said.
The cameras are paid for by the State Government and are hosted at the Department of Transport's coastal cam site.
The cameras allow pictures of surf conditions to be updated every 60 seconds, giving surfers the chance to check out conditions before heading for the beach.
"The feed can be accessed via the Ministry of Sport and Recreation website at www.msr.wa.gov.au," Mr Moore said.
"The site has been an enormous success in the United States, with 12 per cent of visits emanating from America.
"This is excellent news, as it means the initial aim of providing information to locals is having beneficial spin-offs in the form of visits from potential tourism markets.
"Some visits will be from institutions wishing to watch the artificial surf reef take shape.
"Western Australia is leading the way with this pioneering work and I am sure the world is watching with interest.
"People are also seeing the magnificent beaches we have here in WA, so the State is winning all round."
Mr Moore said that 5,800 tonnes of rock was now in place on the artificial reef, 300 metres offshore at the Cables surf break.
The reef was now two-thirds complete and on schedule to be completed in time for the winter swells.
Media contact: Hartley Joynt 9321 1444