Boat Ramp Spotting

[Bernie P]

Over this past week, Ports Authority (Security anyway) have started a campaign to remove spotters from the spotting location ‘The Boat Ramp’, and in particular, the pathway that is along the breakwater adjacent to the ramp itself…

I have been liaising with the Ports Community Engagement team today regarding this, and shall continue to do so, but for the time being, it would appear that they do not want us spotters frequenting this location.

The inference could also mean, that the Millstream Lookout may also fall under the same axe, and be blocked from spotters frequenting there as well.

In my initial phone call to the Ports team, the person I spoke to had no issues with us spotting there,and even suggested the Millstream Lookout, but also warned that there are ‘other activities, especially at Millstream Lookout’ to be cautious of!!

Below is the email I received, and above it, is my reply to them. So at this stage, be wary of security, and I will be following up with the team…

~~~~~~~~~

Community Engagement Team,

You are aware that this 'breakwater' is a pathway, and that fishermen are there as well... I assume that they are going to be treated with the same response?

Kind regards

Bernie

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Begin forwarded message:

Subject: Photography at Botany Boat Ramp
Hello Mr Proctor,

I raised your request to photograph planes from the boat ramp breakwater with our security manager earlier today.

The Port Authority does not endorse the public walking along the breakwater for any reason, due to the risk of injury.

Requests to photograph port activities or those at Sydney Airport will be considered on a case by case basis but that is all.

Sorry I could not be of further assistance on this occasion.

Regards,

Community Engagement

[Robert.M]

Thanks for the heads up, hopefully common sense prevails. Would be sad to lose another spotting location because of bureaucracy.

[Grahame Hutchison]

I have been down there many times of late, and only on one occasion when I was shooting a Panosphere (http://panosphere.16right.com/)for an hour, did a security guard approach me - to say hello and nothing else. Today there were fishermen, and children riding a "Disabled Person" electric chair along the breakwater walkway. Their father, maybe 50ish, was riding a skateboard along the path as well. I assumed that this area was controlled by Botany Council, and was open to all members of the general public, boaties, fishermen, families and photographers. So what is the actual problem ?

[Stephen Brown]

What are the 'Other Activities' at the Millstream??? Never seen anything else happen there??