PUBLIC consultation on the City of Wanneroo’s coastal management plan showed more than 70 per cent of respondents want a horse beach, and results showed increasing need for more dog beaches.
The city council will consider the report on submissions at its meeting tonight, as well as eight recommendations for the second part of the plan.
Planning and sustainability director Len Kosova said there had been extensive community consultation in part one, with 211 submissions received during the consultation period between last October and January.
Most submissions came from local residents, with six received from developers and major landowners and five from residents associations and community groups.
It said the key issues were the need to extend Quinns dog beach, creation of additional dog beach south of Quinns, and another in north Alkimos.
“A horse beach in Tamala Park was supported by a number of submitters (and) a number of Mindarie residents do not support a horse beach in Mindarie,” the report said.
“Seventy-one per cent of submitters support a horse beach within the City and of the four identified locations, Tamala Park received the most support with 29 per cent.
“To further address this issue in the longer term (10 to 15 years), administration recommends the City investigate the option of a split use dog and horse beach with separate times for dogs and horses in Tamala Park.”
Submissions also supported tourism ventures, provision of artificial reefs, segregated jet skiing and kite surfing areas, and surf lifesaving clubs.
“Tourism ventures were widely supported by the community, in particular, the construction of a tidal pool for swimming and an artificial reef for surfing,” the report said.
“Two petitions totalling 1604 signatures were sent to the City in March 2012 requesting the construction of a tidal pool at the southern end of Quinns Beach.
“Sixteen separate requests for the construction of artificial surf reefs to enhance surf conditions were also received during the community consultation.”
However, the report said it would be premature to make any commitment to carry out such significant infrastructure projects, instead recommending feasibility studies be done first.