No ASP contest at Vivonne Bay

Announcements made on May 27th 2011 in 'The Islander' newspaper notified locals of an International surfing contest to be held in NOVEMBER 2011 at Vivonne Bay, Kangaroo Island.  We believe this is an irresponsible event to be holding in the proposed environment.
Kangaroo Island is unique in that it is a pristine environment that has stood resilient to ecological disasters and diseases prevalent on the mainland.  There are less than 200 breeding pairs of Hooded Plovers on Kangaroo Island, Vivonne Bay supports a large portion of this population with sightings of up to 20 birds on one section of the Bay.  Hooded Plovers nest in slight depressions on the beach and in the dunes. Having the 'expected' 3-5 thousand people attending the event trying to position themselves to watch the waves WILL be disastrous to the fragile vegetation and bird population as there is NO infrastructure.  During a high tide entire sections of the beach are inaccessible with waves lapping the established dunes. This means people are forced to trample on the fragile coastal vegetation and shifting ecosystems.
Despite the lack of a credible Environmental Plan, proper infrastructure or residential consultation Surfing Australia, Sealink and the South Australian Tourism Commision and various media releases are promoting the event.   Tourism on Kangaroo can be better energized by sealing Harriet Road and the proposed music festival at a suitable location. The Yorke Peninsula is a much better option for the surfing event.  State level contests are held there annually, Innes National Park has facilities such as; sealed roads, adequate parking, camping grounds, toilets, boardwalks for beach access and emergency services. 


Please support the relocation of any ASP event in South Australia back to the mainland, to places where critical Environmental positions are not at risk.