What are Surfing Reserves?
These are areas of coastal waters that have been recognised by National Surfing Reserves Australia (NSRA) & NSW Department of Lands as iconic sites being of environmental, cultural and historical significance to the Australian surfing culture.
In New South Wales the reserves are located on Crown Land and therefore come under the Crown Lands Act of 1989. Surfing reserves are gazetted by the Department of Lands and extend from mean high tide mark to 500m out to sea.
Why a Surfing Reserve for the Lennox Area
The National Reference Group (NRG) of NSRA independently recognised the importance of the role that the Lennox Head area has played in the history of Australian surfing and approached the Lennox Head – Ballina Community to investigate if the idea was viable.
A meeting of surf related Community members was called to discuss the idea. These included local surfboard riding clubs, the Lennox - Alstonville SLSC, local surfers & respected elders, surfing historians, business people and Ballina – Lennox Surfrider Foundation. This meeting was held and positively supported the formation of a Working Group (Local Steering Committee) to formulate and prepare a nomination for the establishment of the Lennox National Surfing Reserve.
The Reserve Area
The boundaries of the reserve for the nomination were from the south side of Flat Rock to the Lennox Head SLSC. The southern boundary being very significant as Flat Rock was one of the first breaks surfed in the area well before Lennox Point. The reserve area extends 500 metres seaward of the mean high tide mark to comply with the National standard.
Current Laws & Licences
The laws and regulations for the area and areas partially within the proposed reserve come under the jurisdiction of the Cape Byron Marine Park Authority (CBMPA), other Federal, State and local Legislation. All current Legislation will remain unchanged by the Lennox National Surfing Reserve. All current activities, access and licences which have been issued by regulatory authorities to individuals or groups will also remain unchanged.
What the Reserve Trust Can Do
Under the Crown Lands Act a Board of Management (such as the Lennox National Surfing Reserve Trust)
can be established to manage the Reserve. The Board will be representative of the local surfing community
and will report directly to the Minister for Lands. The Board can:
- Provide the local surfing community with a voice on matters concerning the Reserve.
- Develop a management plan to provide clear goals regarding the custodial and stewardship responsibilities
associated in managing the Reserve. - Mitigate, negotiate and engage stakeholders with any environmental issues/problems within the Reserve area.
- Be proactive in the maintaining of historical records within the Reserve area.
- Be proactive in maintaining the cultural significance of the Reserve area
- Be supportive and active in considering developments or issues within or adjacent to the Reserve area.
- Be supportive and active in considering changes in rights to use the Reserve area by individuals or groups.
- Enhance surfing facilities and other recreational, environmental and cultural activities adjacent to the Reserve through Federal, State and local collaboration & grants.
What the Reserve Group Cannot Do
- Ban any individual or group from participating in their chosen sport or activity within the Reserve area.
- Change, alter or make any ‘laws’ to exclude individuals or groups from participating in their chosen sport or activity within the Reserve area.
- Take control, develop or build within the reserve area.