Concerned about a local Major Safety and Dolphin Issue?

Then check out the Not Pleasing item under June Update

Other News

ON THE RADIO: The Passionate Paddler’s items are still broadcast by 6MM, as part of the local Department of Sport and Recreation ‘s radio spot on Friday mornings between 9-10am

More on Dolphins: The Marine Biologist suggests that if paddlers notice dolphins “at rest” towards the top of the water, that we do not disturb them

Egg Island: That we have informed South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council about the shoreline deterioration of Egg Island in the Southern Harvey Estuary

That for Clean Up Australia Day: on Sunday 27 February, we “cleaned up” from Barragup Bridge to Furnissdale, Mandurah Paddling Cub did from Riverside Gardens down

Dolphin rides, with “gang of five”: Dolphins are great fun when they go under your boat looking up at you, jump out of the water doing tricks and generally interact with us paddlers in all sorts of ways. One Saturday morning, in October, the “gang of five” were out near Boodalin Island and met a pod of about eleven dolphins. The dolphins decided that each one of the five should be taken for a “dolphin ride” not only one paddler at a time, but often two at a time This went on for about half an hour or so enough time to travel (if that’s the right word) 3/4 of the way back to the Murray River. So fast and furious were some of these “rides” that amid the cries of joy and laughter, there was at least one cry of, “I can’t control my boat ” Now I know that individual paddlers have enjoyed similar “ride” experiences, but never have I heard of a group being chosen for this trick. P.S. I was there, and at one time I counted at least four dolphins under my boat. Barry

Sandy Cove and Clansman Beaches: We, along with the Mandurah Paddling Club and The Mandurah Over 55s Canoe Club have written to the Shire of Murray stating that these two public beaches should remain open to use by paddlers

DEC Canoe guides/ maps: Now available, titled Murray River: Pinjarra to Peel Inlet, the guide also takes in the Serpentine River from Riverside Gardens downstream. Durable, water resistant and virtually rip proof the guide will be available at most outdoor recreation stores, visitor centres and paddling stores for $11.00. "Paddle the Murray River: Pinjarra to Peel Inlet" can be ordered online at www.dec.wa.gov.au/shop or by phone on 9334 0800.

Road Reserve: Following representations from the Friends, the road reserve just south of the Caltex Service Station at Herron, is now open to the public allowing pedestrian access to the foreshore

Brunswick Island: Ninety percent of the Watsonia was knocked out last year. Follow up spraying has been done this year and probably will continue for another two years. It is pleasing to note the sedge/rush vegetation is reclaiming where the Watsonia infestations once thrived

Launch Sites

The Canoe Trail Friends have on going consultations with paddlers, canoe clubs, government agencies and developers to establish non-powered launch sites

Novara Steps & "Canoe Slide” A set of steps with a "canoe slide”, has been installed at Novara. Located south of the boat ramp it will be particularly useful during peak holiday periods. The Canoe Trail Friends thank Chris Abbis, Waterways Technical Officer with the City of Mandurah, for his cooperative approach in providing this innovative paddling feature.

River Trails: That we have been involved along with City of Mandurah & Shire of Murray, in a Peel Trails Group initiative for canoe trail signs to be installed at Furnissdale, Pinjarra, Ravenswood, Riverside Gardens and Western Foreshore These signs will complement canoe guides and further enhance paddling facilities

Disabled launch site: We have initiated consultation, to see if there is a need for a disabled launch site or sites.
Batavia Quays South Yunderup: The Friends are pleased that money has now been received to upgrade the boat ramp here, including the non-powered site. The Friends supported the Shire of Murray with this upgrade. To cater for the needs of paddlers, we have had input into the detailed planning of launch site location and car parking requirements
Furnissdale: As there may be a revision of all boating facilities at Furnissdale, because of the Review of Furnissdale Structure Plan, The Friends have put forward their requirements for non-powered sites
Murray Bend: Following a request from The Friends, the Shire of Murray has placed sand between the boat ramp and private jetty

Point Grey Outline Development Plan The ODP, under taken by the Shire of Murray, states that it should make suitable provision for the two non-powered sites launch sites as identified by the Canoe Trail Friends.
Port Bouvard Limited was very helpful during the consultation process.

Ravenswood: A launch site has been established opposite the Ravenswood Hotel All credit and appreciation goes to the Shire of Murray, in partnership with Mandurah- Murray Vietnam Veterans Canoeing Group The Shire excavated the site and the MMVVCG carried out the construction work
Rivergum Esplanade South Yunderup: The Friends are supporting the Shire of Murray in its quest to establish a designated launch site at this location

Riverside Gardens: Is a good model of a canoe launch site. Thanks go to the City of Mandurah for being prepared to consult, even about car parking requirements

Woodlands Pde. Stakehill: Access is now via the Kwinana Freeway at the Lymons Road turn off
That the Shire of Murray will place sand on the degraded beach at Woodland Parade launch site, and install bollards to restrict vehicles or trailers from backing into the river

The Mandurah Boating Guide: Identifies Non-powered launching sites

About us

The Canoe Trail Friends of Mandurah and Pinjarra Inc, a ‘paddlers alliance’, have developed a series of seven canoe trail guides to the Peel Region’s rivers and waterways and two associated companion guides providing details of the region’s natural and human history. These guides and companions are available free of charge to local residents of and visitors to our region through local visitor centres and businesses.
Environmental and community projects currently being undertaken by the Friends, include:
. establishment of a number of sanctuary zones for water and shore birds in the Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary to help protect threatened migratory and residential wader birds,

. tree plantings and clean-ups along our rivers and waterways,

. incorporation of canoe trails in the proposed Peel Regional Park,

. development of canoe launch points to provide better access to our rivers and waterways,

. preparation of submissions to local and state governments raising concerns about the environmental impact on our waterways, and

. event coordinators of the annual Peel Region Canoe Week.

The Friends are members of:
• Peel Boating Community Group
• Peel Trails Group
• Peel-Yalgorup System Ramsar Project Technical Advisory Group

Membership:
The Friends would appreciate your support for by you becoming a member of the Canoe Trail Friends of Mandurah and Pinjarra Inc.

Membership is open to any person over the age of 18years.
The annual membership fee is $5(five dollars)
Please Note: We are not a paddling club
Enquiries:
Send a self-addressed envelope to PO Box 3188 Mandurah East or call into Kayaks-4-U (near Kings Carnival, Western Foreshore Mandurah)
Membership Payment
Cash to Kayaks-4-U
Cheque or postal order to: Canoe Trail Friends of Mandurah and Pinjarra Inc. PO Box 3188 MANDURAH EAST 6210

New Facebook Address

We are now easier to find on facebook with the registered Facebook page
www.facebook.com/canoetrailfriendsofmandurahpinjarra
visit us & click like to keep up to date

June Update

IT IS PLEASING:

That: The Canoe Trail Friends of Mandurah and Pinjarra are delighted that at a press release on Friday 10 June at the Mandurah Western Foreshore, Port Bouvard Limited confirmed that they will be providing a generous donation which will allow for three full-page advertisements in local newspapers promoting the 6th Annual Peel Region Canoe Week, Saturday August 27 – Sunday 11 September 2011. (Schedule will be emailed to Canoe Trail Friends as soon a it is available normally late July)
The release was attended by representatives Port Bouvard Limited, Mandurah Mail, Coastal Times and Canoe Trail Friends

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That: It is on now, 2011 Peel Region Canoe Week’s, “Amateur e Photographic Competition”
Open to all amateur photographers, not just canoeists and kayakers
Prize for winner of each of the three categories:
Paddling Action: A Ricoh CX2 Camera. Donated by Mandurah Camera House and Duty Free. Valid to 30/11/ 2011.
Habitat Birds: Family of Two Adults and Two Children (3 --12 years), on the Murray River Lunch Cruise aboard the "Peel Princess", which includes a meal at The Clansman Restaurant. Valid to 30/11/2011. Donated by Murray Ferry
Cruises and Clansman Restaurant
Habitat Mammals: Ticket for One Adult to Swim with Wild Dolphins - Rockingham Wild Encounters. Donated by Rockingham Wild Encounters. Valid to 30/11/2011

Information, terms and conditions see Competition link, at the Community section, top of the Mandurah Mail web page – www.mandurahmail.com.au

We thank Mandurah Mail’s Dale Evans (Manager) and Darren O’Dea (Editor) for supporting this competition
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That: Thanks to Shire of Murray’s, Grant Bilton, Woodlands Parade Launch Site has been greatly improved with sand on beach, and bollards on roadway

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IT IS NOT PLEASING:

That: The Department of Transport is promoting unrestricted boating speeds for Sticks Channel (currently 12 knots)

The channel adjacent to Sticks Channel that leads into Mandurah Marina is officially sign posted at an 8-knot speed limit, is this also to be unrestricted?

Major Safety Issue: For Sticks Channel to have either an increased speed limit or an open slather policy which leaves it up to the boat user to determine what speed is safe defies comprehension, this in a channel which is chaotic in holiday periods

All types of boating including, Private and Hire House Boats, Commercial Tour Boats, Private and Hire “Party” Boats, Jet Skis, Fan Boats, Runabouts and Paddle Craft use Sticks Channel

Paddling Issue: From a paddler’s perspective to hear a Departmental Officer based in Mandurah say “but you wouldn’t paddle there” (Sticks Channel) was incredible to say the least, especially when the Department of Environment and Conservation have published a Canoe Guide showing the channel

Dolphin Issue (reference Marine Biologist):

Increase in boating speeds in shallow waters (Sticks Channel is only dredged to 1.5 metres) result in:

Increased risk of strikes or hits on dolphins, particularly new mums with calves

The resultant increase in noise pollution (due to increased speeds) disturbs dolphin’s sonar and communication and causes stress.

Repetitive and longer dive time is required by dolphins to avoid boats, which in turn increases general stress levels.

With calving female dolphins, there is the potential for decreased reproductive success (calf injury and poor nutritional value of her milk due to stress), and a major negative impact on feeding patterns for all dolphins.

Are increased speeds being considered for other locations?

Southern Harvey Estuary: Of concern is an impression that the 4-knot boating speed limit applicable to the environmentally sensitive Southern Harvey Estuary may be increased

Action: Steps are being taken to create awareness of the above and for environmental groups as well as boating groups to be involved in any decision making process