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\u201cI\u2019ve been concerned about this issue for a long time \u2026. the more this is normalised the more cameras there will be.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstalling webcams at relatively quiet spots and making them more common place, opens up the need for more cameras everywhere, and from there it\u2019s a slippery slope.<\/p>\n
\u201cKennett and Apollo Bay surfers are ropeable about the Wye cam because they foresee the next one being installed at Kennett \u2026 where does it stop?\u201d<\/p>\n
President of the Surfrider Foundation\u2019s Surf Coast Branch John Foss believes the prospective surfcam owners should need to obtain a licence from relevant land managers prior to installation, particularly the Bells Beach Surfing Recreation Reserve.<\/p>\n
\u201cGORCAPA and Surf Coast Shire council presently, and have done for many years, require licences and permits to be granted for commercial uses on coastal Crown land that they manage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere should be genuine and collaborative consultation with the local community and relevant stakeholders prior to a surfcam being installed.\u201d
\nMr Foss also warned of safety issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe consider Winki Pop to be a high performance wave and you really don\u2019t want to be attracting learners who could endanger themselves and others and potentially clog up the lineup.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommon-sense says leave the remote and high-performance waves camera free.\u201d<\/p>\n
Swellnet did not respond to requests for comment, however William Butler said after sharing the petition with the company and asking if more cameras were planned, was told by a spokesperson \u201cthere won\u2019t be any need for more cameras after this\u201d.<\/p>\n
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THE increasing prevalence of live surfcams at prominent surf spots along the Great Ocean Road is provoking a backlash from locals who say there\u2019s been no community consultation about their installation and potential consequences. The recent installation of a camera at Wye River by Swellnet prompted Lorne\u2019s William Butler to launch a Change.org petition lobbying […]<\/p>\n