Camel ride idea in for a bumpy ride

PROTESTERS against a proposal to allow camel rides along Claytons Beach in Mindarie fired a raft of thorny questions at City of Wanneroo staff and councillors at a meeting last night.

About 65 people turned out to the special electors meeting at Gumblossom Community Centre in Quinns Rocks.

They voiced their concerns about the business application by Sunrise Camels to offer rides from Claytons Beach to Tamala Park.

At the end of the meeting, just four people voted in favour of the proposal.

The crowd reacted strongly when councillors and city officials would not answer a question about whether they would like camels in front of their homes.

Wanneroo planning director Len Kosova and chief executive Daniel Simms answered most of the questions, but Mr Kosova stressed that the council had not yet discussed the matter.

No formal position would be adopted until a full report, based on public submissions, environmental and traffic studies had been compiled and presented at the next council meeting on April 6.

The council would then send its recommendation to the WA Planning Commission.

Even if the council rejects the application, the WAPC could overturn the decision. The WAPC has referred the matter to the Department of Environment and Conservation but has not yet received advice back.

Mr Kosova said issues raised at the special electors’ meeting would be included in the report.

“We are here tonight to understand the wishes and concerns members of the community have about the proposal,” he said.

Questions related to everything from camel urine and animal welfare to antisocial behaviour that could result from a car park being re-opened to accommodate vehicles used to transport the animals.

Founders of lobby group Mindarie No Camels, Claire Creamer and Ken Tasker, called the meeting.

Mrs Creamer said the meeting did not mean there was any room for negotiation.

“Under no circumstances will we entertain having this business on the Mindarie foreshore,” she said.

Cr Roberts described the community consultation period as a “transparent process”.

Out of 99 submissions received from the consultation, 85 were against the proposal and just 14 in favour.

A 157-signature petition against the camel rides was also presented at the February council meeting.

What everyone else is thinking

Sezz S

24/03/2010

Sounds like a group of residents trying to keep the beach to themselves. How many camels do they think there are going to be? I can't really see it’s the camels that they're really worried about it’s the fact they don't want others to discover the beautiful beach. How selfish.

It’s a great idea and so much more exciting than the donkey rides that they have in the UK! I'd so much prefer an exhilarating camel ride along the beach than the dull trek up and down at a Zoo. Put my name down for a ride! I’m sure that camels will be well looked after. The residents can keep an eye out ;-) And its not like people worry too much about transporting horses around so I don’t see how camels are very different.

John R

23/03/2010

Madge: I think democracy deserves equal rights for all ratepayers not just 20 selected local residents. I agree th Council should have taken promoted this more widely for this type of initiative as you suggest. Would everyone be happy if our government was elected by 0.01% of hand picked people - I think not! In this case, the public meeting was just a stage for the No campaigners. Indeed, I could have spoken but what point in such a blinkered debate? No one was there to listen.

Sally: I encourage you to check out the proposal in detail. It's pre-booked tours. There are just 8 camels for a tour so we're talking just a handful of people for each tour. I agree that this business would not be appropriate in Cottesloe - the tourists wouldn't enjoy it and the beach isn't long enough. But if people take the time to go to Long Beach and look, they will see it is a stunning location for this idea!

Why is everyone so unwilling to give this guy a fair go??? It's just a trial!

Shady

I hope the enthusiastic efforts of the Mindarie No Camel representatives Ms Creamer and Mr Tasker are replicated in a MINDARIE NO DOGS campaign; this would be an even worse environmental outcome!

Sally

22/03/2010

How many of those in favour of west coast camel rides will avail themselves of this tourist facility? No, I didn't think so. And how far would an idea like this get in an area such as Cottesloe, City Beach or Floreat? Not far.

If I want to see or ride an animal, I will go to a zoo or an animal farm. A tourist facility is not appropriate and should not be developed beside a residential area per the taskforce on tourism report, 2004 (available from WA planning commission). I cannot see how Mindarie can be considered a dense tourist precinct. Where are all these supposed tourists coming from, how will they get here and what else will keep them occupied once their 20 min camel ride is over? It seems a no brainer to me.

madge

I think 157 signatures is significant given only 0.014% of ratepayers (20 out of 145,000) received notification from the council re the proposed camel rides whilst also bearing in mind the proposal (and signs) appeared over the christmas break when most people are on holidays/preoccupied/away... with submissions closing very early Jan with little to no time for residents to comment. The meeting was open to all to attend and express their opinion. The fact that those in attendance were against the proposal does not mean others were not given the opportunity to speak - they simply didn't take it. The motion was carried by all but 4 people in attendance - the meeting was transparent.

20/03/2010

Ken, I was also at the meeting and one of the four who admitted to suporting this proposal. May I suggest if you want to thank everyone who came to the meeting, you could just speak to your next-door-neighbours and friends in Long Beach Promenade? There appeared to be few others from the wider region at the meeting apart from Council officers. I was disappointed that this meeting did little to promote an open and balanced discussion representing the views of all ratepayers. Claire made it clear form the start that the "No" group weren't there to negotiate and had even pre-prepared all the questions for the "No" presenters - hardly open debate! I'm not surprised that no-one spoke for the Camels in such an forum, but I hope that people read this and get motivated to participate in the discussion, once they have checked their facts. Personally I feel this proposal should be applauded and will be an asset for tourism in the region.

There are lots of other ways to attract visitors. How about Sculptures in the Sand [Cottesloe has this] or something similar . i am sure that the tourist board would have a few ideas or the residents themselves. When the council put up the signs for change of use ,they placed them only in Foreshore Prom . In order for ratepayers and all of Perth to view the signs and make submissions, they should have been placed along Marmion Avenue and Anchorage Drive in my opinion.The Council chose to only write to the 20 residents along the foreshore so don,t just blame the residents.

Ken Tasker

19/03/2010

We thank all those who came to the public meeting. This community meeting was a well attended one. The MindarieNoCamels group had over 200 residents respond in a couple of days, to ask the City for this meeting. But ANY elector was entitled to attend and encouraged to voice their opinion. No-one spoke in favour of camel-rides on Mindarie's only beach. Camel-ride supporters could have come to state their views. People who did speak were keen to protect the suburb asset - for a variety of genuine reasons. Its not only locals who enjoy Clayton's beach but hundreds of visitors too - from teenagers who swim and surf to families and fishers. I don't believe anyone was selfish or small-minded in their comments about conserving what we have, for the next generations. Several people stated they were not against tourism but that the camel-rides could be better placed away from residential areas. The meeting was part of the democratic way - anyone can have a say!

Dave

18/03/2010

Wow 157 signatures! ...mmm... isn't there about 140,000 ratepayers in the area?
0.1% of residents object and our council jumps! Nice one!

Pete

This meeting was a joke! The issues of the residents boil down to one thing - they want the beach for themselves! Their selfish views underpin their scaremongering and false facts. Why should the other ratepayers subsidise their protected little patch of paradise? This region has always been designed for urban development - be thankful it isn't a wastewater treatment plant or something! The camels business would be the envy of the world, like Broome. Issues like anti-social behaviour have nothing to do with this business and will be reduced by it. Impact on the environment? Less than the people who use it now! (What thought to the environment did the residents have when they built their mansions?) The animals welfare? Just look at them. Safety? see the Wanneroo Show.
If this vocal minority get their way, the City should re-rate their properties to include the maintenance of the beach that they so proudly want to protect, and offset the economic impact we will loose. Sad day!

The poor camels to be trucked twice daily to and fro. Travelling causes stress to most animals. If I or my visitors want a Camel ride we will go to a Camel farm and see these beautiful animals in their own environment. Leave to beaches alone and let all of Perth enjoy them