Submission 2a Woongar to Council

at 2A by trusting the process that is sensibly and fairly designed to deal with noise
issues.

RULES
The concept that rules don’t apply to BP and that it is a target for miscreants is ill
founded and inflammatory. Residents throughout the whole hinterland can be the worst
at taking the area for granted. Any damage along the main areas of foreshore reserve
can easily be accounted for predominantly by past flood events and strong winds
moving sand and eroding the banks; wash from motorboats; by dogs playing on the
beaches and roaming off leash through the scrub; by suspected residents who
deliberately cut down trees that seem to block views of the lake; innocent kids swinging
off trees and breaking branches off the melaleucas. There is a clear track along the
foreshore to Elanda Point through the State land well known to locals. There is no
shortage of local community events and family gatherings conducted in the foreshore
parks and beach areas. The open fire BBQs and timber tables all along the foreshore
are more often used by locals from the village and hinterland areas then visitors. The
foreshore along the building envelope at 2A is well worn and used and is not
threatened any further by habitation, nor would a further 10 people in the village create
dire consequences in the village.

Other issues.

     •   Overnight camping is a problem Shire wide and has been clamped down on by
         Council. I have seen the Local Law Officer abused by residents for fining visitors
         and moving them along while others are simply tolerant and one or two only
         complain. Some residents enjoy the early morning conversations and almost
         every one of these overnighters is quiet and respectful of the village and don’t
         stay. More problematic is the number of true homeless people seeking refuge
         in their cars for lack of AFFORDABLE housing. They are refugees and should
         first up be treated with kindness.
     •   Boats are a natural sight on a lake offering many kinds of water activities. Boats
         stored overnight are nearly always being used daily, especially in the peak
         August to May sailing season. Main beach is a boat beach with 4 boat access
         ramps and has serviced the sailing club since 1946. I have been monitoring
         boats on the beach for a while now and there are no long-term storage issues.
     •   Other rare occasions of questionable behaviour are simply offensive to some
         people’s sensitivities. Most of these people ‘urinating in the bush’; leaving
         boats on the beach or near the shore; and speeding, live in the village or
         nearby and many have done so for many years and none of these behaviours
         seem relevant to the application or are worth even mentioning.
     •   Increased traffic into the property is unsubstantiated and unlikely. The access
         road drops down the slope below the bordering houses and quickly out of view
         and behind vegetation. It’s well maintained, slow speed and safe.
     •   The concept that this application will create a flood of others and that new
         house sales have been dominated by aliens is hearsay and inaccurate.

FIRES & FLOODING
Fires are banned in all holiday houses and no fire pits or open fires are permitted. Gas
BBQs are supplied in some. Heavy penalties can be applied for contrary behaviour, but