Go and fly a kite! Wait a minute...You are not allowed to!
By paula27661
@paula27661 (15811)
Australia
September 22, 2010 9:26pm CST
The world has gone mad, I tell you, MAD! My feathers have been ruffled and it is by the Town of Cottesloe counsellors who have gone way too far with new rules set out for one of our city’s iconic beaches. Cottesloe beach is one of Perth Western Australia’s most popular places and soon we will not be allowed to do very much there at all. By the year’s end beach goers will have to abide by the following regulations.
• No cigarette butts ( means no smoking, this one is fair enough)
• No public speaking, meetings or entertainment for more than 10 people
(TOO BAD IF YOU HAVE A BIG FAMILY!)
• No fundraising (WAY TOO KIND!)
• No filming or photography for commercial use
• No leaving on taps
• No glass bottles or containers (SUNGLASSES OK?)
• No alcohol (this one is fair enough too)
• No diving from the groyne
• No diving from the Pylon
• No sun shelters, umbrellas or likewise bigger than 3sqm
• No flying kites (WHAT IF YOU DON’T ACTUALLY FLY IT?)
• No toy vehicles ( NO TOY TRUCKS OR PRAMS SORRY KIDS)
• No obstruction of steps or pathways (NO STANDING ON THE STEPS FOR A CHAT)
• No digging big holes (SORRY KIDS, NO MORE SAND CASTLES I GUESS...)
What is going on here? They may as well tell us that fun is no longer allowed at the beach. Wouldn’t just banning smoking and alcohol consumption be enough? Do you have crazy rules anywhere in your world?
5 people like this
11 responses
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
23 Sep 10
GOOD GRIEF, why don't they just close the beach??? All those rules sort of take all the fun away from going there i would think. Don't u wonder who makes crazy rules like these???
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
24 Sep 10
I have no idea who and how they come up with this silly list of rules. The no digging of holes and groups no bigger than 10 people get me! It is presuming that we are all morons or something...I would love to know whose idea it was to make these changes! Thanks ANTIQUELADY!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
24 Sep 10
I have no idea what trouble flying a kite could cause...I hope they will reconsider because the public is quite angry about it but I don't like our chances somehow! I don't see why kids can't take ride on toys down there or dig holes either! I am amazed at the whole thing, I really am! Thanks for responding cher913!
1 person likes this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
23 Sep 10
I pretty much stopped going out 15 years ago, since I am forbidden to do the three things I enjoy the most. Smoking, drinking and speeding.
I left Sydney and I am now living on a farm in the middle of the bush, where there are no morons around to tell me what to do.
I only take the car out to go shopping.
Since taking a drive for the simple joy of it is not worth it. No fun getting a speeding ticket for driving at 60. And there is no fun driving a car at 60.
The whole point of going out is to have a drink and a smoke while chatting with friends. Well, I cannot smoke anywhere, and I cannot have a drink, since I need to drive home.
The strangest thing is, I was doing all those things right through the 70's and I survived. I have a fairy about this mind you. The stupidiest the laws become, the stupidiest the people become.
When you protect the people from themselve, they stop learning.
When you tell someone that "Speed kills". They are under the impression that if they don't speed, they cannot have an accident and cannot die. So to kill time they listen to a CD and send a text message. Because driving a car at minimal speed is the most boring thing in the world. People fall asleep. I cannot remember people falling asleep at the wheel during the 70's.
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
23 Sep 10
There should be adequate roads where you can speed because clearly in the metropolitan area it is way too dangerous but I agree that texting, tiredness and other distractions are just as dangerous as drink driving or speeding. It comes down to people and common sense. I feel like taking a protest banner to the beach that says 'WE WANT COMMON SENSE, WHEN DO WE WANT IT? NOW!' because these new rules show no common sense and the people who feel they need to follow them don't either! Thanks Aussies!
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45433)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
23 Sep 10
Somebody's got their knickers in a knot, and I don't mean you, Paula.
Did somebody buy the beach and make it private property?
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
24 Sep 10
I agree! It does seem as though somebody thinks they own the beach! It made me so darn mad when I read these rules in the paper! I used to go to Cottesloe beach but now I will move to another beach. I hope the other councils don't follow suit! Thanks BarBara and bingaling!
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
23 Sep 10
Why do these lawmakers have to create such a long lists of unfavorable rules in a public area meant for family entertainment and for tourists visits. I think it is way too much for the local council to enforce such crazy rulings and could turn the beach into a deserted place soon. They might as well privatize the place and make it theirs and theirs only to enjoy. I think most Australians love to spend their free time in parks and beaches and it is unfortunate that they have to abide by such stringent rules which are real joy killers. I hope these counsellors listen to feedback from the public so they can amend the new rulings to accommodate the wishes of the majority.
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
23 Sep 10
I do too! It is a crazy set of rules. The one that states that groups larger than 10 people are not allowed really gets to me, what is the harm in a large family getting together at the beach? Or a little kid digging a hole or playing with his toy truck? I hope they will listen to the public's opinions. Thanks for responding zandi!
1 person likes this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
23 Sep 10
That is pretty crazy. There are far too many rules and regulations in the world today. Sure some of them make sense like not allowing glass onto beaches. That is a perfectly acceptable one in the interests of safety. But they do go overboard these councils as they have so much fear of public litigation from someone getting injured on their land. 
I remember hearing many years ago how crazy it is in the USA with people suing for everything and I heard that Australia would end up that way too. Sadly this is happening. 
Take a look at this video that I actually just finished watching. Talk about crazy local laws gone mad! http://permaculture.org.au/2010/09/23/fined-5000-for-growing-too-many-vegetables/
I remember hearing many years ago how crazy it is in the USA with people suing for everything and I heard that Australia would end up that way too. Sadly this is happening.
Take a look at this video that I actually just finished watching. Talk about crazy local laws gone mad! http://permaculture.org.au/2010/09/23/fined-5000-for-growing-too-many-vegetables/@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
24 Sep 10
I know! It seems they just want his money now. He is legit, but they still want to screw him over. The poor guy. They should be encouraging him to grow his veggies.
Kites! Well, I guess they could fall out of the sky onto someone's head! They are probably worried about being sued if that happens.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
22 Oct 10
A lot of people have complained about the new rules and the council has now come back and said they will look at them again and that the media exaggerated them! I don't see how considering the council wrote them! Anyway they seem to be back tracking now so it will be interesting to see what will happen this summer...Thanks for stopping gabs, always great to hear from you my friend!
@AD11RGUY (1265)
• United States
23 Sep 10
Sounds like a frustrated California legislator made their way to Australia! Unless there is some really valid reason for these uber controls, like endangered sometime or other, it just plain retarded. I'm not even against the smoke and booze. There should be proper receptacles for the waste and serious fine for not using the receptacles. But bottom line, the beach should be a very enjoyable place for all people to go. Not just those who aren't looking to have some fun while there. Sorry to hear the poison of my state has drifted across the Pacific. That's a spill we should have caught!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
25 Sep 10
It does sound that way, you're right. It is ridiculous though to have so many bans especially the digging of holes and flying kites! It is always about money isn't? Everything is always about money...Thanks Dawn!
@krajibg (11923)
• Guwahati, India
23 Sep 10
Hi paula, though see and sea beach is quite far from the province I live I have been to most of them and do visit on a regular basis.
The longest beach in Asia is in India but the condition is not so good. All the nasty things you have categorized are common there which is why the beauty of the beach is lost.
If the Govt takes the similar action, might be thee would be pleasant thing there.
1 person likes this
@chrixopher75 (53)
• United States
23 Sep 10
I'm suprised thay didn't add no swimming or breathing either. that's intense! I know beaches have their regulations equal to the amount of problems, but this seems a little to far. Did someone in charge get attacked by a kite or get beat in a sand castle competition? I find this too be just crazy. I'm sorry for your loss Australia. The hearts of American west coast goes out to you.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
23 Sep 10
Thanks! At the moment it is only one of our beaches and I pray the others don't follow because it would be a real shame! The public is annoyed and I hope the council changes some of these ridiculous bans although I would not hold my breath! Somebody has lost it, I think...Thanks for the response chrixopher I appreciate it!
