UPDATE: A trio of new tourist attractions including jet ski tours and flyboard fun have been given approval to operate this summer.
The flyboard operation, to be run by locally-based business Jet X-treme was popular with councillors from the outset and after last Friday's successful demonstration, was the first of the three to get approval to operate from October 1 through to April 30.
A flyboard, an aerial freestyle device attached by a length of hose to a personal water craft, propels users into the air while attached to a secure board, enabling the rider to levitate above water.
At Tuesday night's full council meeting, councillor Caroline Knight raised concerns regarding the possible impact the business would have on the local dolphin population, but according to a City spokesperson, the business would impact less than the boats that currently travel through the region.
"I don't see any problem with this new addition to the waters," the spokesperson said.
Also approved were jet ski tours by local operators Stag Watersports who currently run a successful venture in Dawesville.
The tours were given the same approval period as the Jet X-treme proposal to operate from October 1 through to April 30 next year.
Under Stag Watersports' proposal, the business wishes to operate from December 1 seven days a week during the associated school holiday periods and just on weekends and public holidays outside those times.
For those not as excited about the extreme watersports on offer, the regular tourist train run on the eastern foreshore has been extended to three separate routes including the current offering on the foreshore and two others on the western foreshore and at Keith Holmes Reserve in the marina area.
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MANDURAH looks set for a trio of new tourist attractions including jet ski tours and flyboard fun.
All three proposals were endorsed by councillors at Tuesday night’s meeting with the final decision to be made at the end of the month.
Business Jet X-treme has put forward a proposal to operate aerial freestyle devices that propel people through the air and water while Stag Watersports is asking for a pick up point to be placed on the western foreshore to operate regular jet ski tours.
Jet X-treme’s proposal already has the support of MAPTO (Mandurah and Peel Tourism Organisation) to operate an instructor-based experience for watersport lovers, described as an “excellent addition” to the region’s current attractions, as does Stag Watersport’s plan to operate regular jet ski tours.
Jet X-treme owner Gary McGowan, a Dawesville resident, spoke to councillors about his proposal and spoke of his passion for all things watersport.
“Now is the right time for Mandurah to embrace this exciting drawcard,” he said.
Under Jet X-treme’s proposal, the business would operate out of an eastern foreshore water space, with a safe entry point and a meet and greet area to trade over the summer period.
Stag Watersports is looking to expand their business after operating out of Dawesville for the past 10 years.
Speaking to councillors at Tuesday’s meeting, Stag Watersports co-owner Tina Whitman said her business was losing customers due to the remote Dawesville space it currently operated out of.
Under Stag Watersports proposal, the business will be able to attract those visitors to the region who come by train.
The third attraction has the less extreme in mind, with the Tourist Fun Train Company asking to operate a mini tourist train on the eastern and western foreshores and within the Keith Holmes Reserve.
A final decision on all three activities will be made at the next full council meeting.
