Aussies and tourists looking to hit the beach in their four-wheel drives this festive season are being reminded not to disobey road rules. Authorities have said they are planning to crack down on bad behaviour.
Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, visitors from around the state descend onto Goolwa Beach, an hour’s drive from Adelaide.
While the beach is popular for off-roading enthusiasts, years’ worth of damage caused by the pastime has sparked concern and even prompted a major rule change.
Irresponsible drivers — including those that don’t have 4WD capabilities in their vehicles — risk fellow beachgoers, delicate sand dunes, and even themselves while driving on the white sands.
Last year, chaotic scenes hit the popular area after ongoing access issues caused gridlock on the beach. Alexandrina Council admitted that “changes need to be made” to access the beach.
Fed up with drivers becoming routinely bogged, creating frequent traffic jams and draining resources, authorities announced last week they’re doing just that.
Council has vowed to block drivers illegally accessing the immensely popular tourist beach, pledging to install a new “physical deterrent” in its latest move to keep vehicles out.
Chaotic scenes at Goolwa Beach have prompted a rethink by council of how vehicles can access the popular spot. Source: ABC/Advertiser
It said incidents involving unsuitable vehicles on the sand continue to cause major safety and environmental risks.
Speaking to Yahoo News, a council spokesperson confirmed the yet-to-be-unveiled deterrent has been designed but “is currently being costed” to provide an estimation for manufacture and installation.
It remained tight-lipped about the details of the installation, but said all agencies involved — SA Police, SES and SA Water — support the plan.
Police enforcing road rules on beaches this Christmas
Police have confirmed that patrols will be heading to Goolwa to ensure “the safety of all road and off-road drivers.”
“Police remind drivers of the following points to ensure a safe journey if they drive on beaches or sand dunes,” a SA police spokesperson told Yahoo News.
Police explained they will be keeping an eye out for speeding drivers, drink driving and other road rules as well as those caught trespassing on private land, and ignoring designated tracks.
Officers advised visitors to take extra care of the following things as well:
Be mindful to check tracks and weather conditions prior to your trip.
Make sure you have adequate vehicle recovery gear.
Using flags in dune areas is recommended.
Remember to air down tyres in soft areas.
Pay attention to fencing and signage.
Motorists have been caught out driving into the delicate dunes at Goolwa Beach, causing years worth of damage. Source: Supplied
Speed limits enforced for ‘safer’ beaches
Two years ago, Alexandrina authorities moved to reduce the speed limit from 100km/h, all the way down to 40km/h and 25km/h when travelling within 50 metres of a person.
“The speed limit of 25km/h offers greater protection to vulnerable beachgoers, while the 40km/h speed limit reflects the risks associated with varying and unpredictable beach driving conditions,” Mayor Parkes said at the time.
“We want the community and visitors to enjoy the area, but people need to take care, stick to the new speed limits and stay off the sensitive dune areas.”
Demerit points and fines apply if motorists are caught speeding on a beach.
Motorists on Goolwa Beach will be expected to adhere to new speeding limits. Source: Google/ABC
Council furious after spate of bad behaviour
Bad behaviour could threaten 4WD beach access entirely, with Mayor Keith Parks warning that the beach could be shut down forever if people can’t behave.
It came after a driver was caught allegedly speeding down an empty stretch of Goolwa Beach before losing control and rolling over.
“These are the things that will see beaches close to vehicles at all times, and that’s the last thing on earth that we want,” he said.
Soon after the warning, authorities announced that overnight camping was no longer permitted on Wauraltee Beach, including the area known as Second Beach, on the York Peninsula in South Australia.
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