23.8 C
Byron Shire
March 18, 2024

Coastal Defenders respond to NPWS

Latest News

Tweed hospital and playgrounds welcomed

State Labor politicians have officially welcomed two upgraded playgrounds and a new hospital built in the Tweed Shire.

Other News

Wallum Q&A with Clarence Property CEO 

Will digging frog ponds and installing nest boxes really make a difference to the damage that large-scale development will have on the rare and endangered Wallum heathland in Bruns? 

Mandy Nolan’s Soapbox: Reach Beyond

One in 12 people over 65 are living with dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease, but is a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interfere with doing everyday activities. It’s actually no longer called dementia, but Major Neurocognitive Disorder (MND).

Global beats and lantern parades

Byron Bay’s free Harmony Day celebration on Saturday, March 23 starts at 3.30pm in Apex Park, Main Beach, with live global beats and dance from our region’s multicultural community.

COVID-19 pandemic has cut life expectancy globally

COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal.

Joel Taylor named para surfer of the year

Being named as ‘Male Para Surfer for 2023’ by Surfing Australia has given Lennox Head surfer Joel Taylor the perfect fillip he needs ahead of the Australian Open later this month.

Preview screening of The Koalas at Federal Hall this Sunday

An insight into the lives of koalas is taking place this Sunday with the preview screening of  The Koalas at Federal Hall. 

Stephen Totterman from Coastal Defenders Network said the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s response to his concerns about 4WD impacts on the pied oystercatcher population on the beaches south of Ballina is ‘unsatisfactory’.

4WD tracks into the dunes in Broadwater National Park, 14 November 2020. Photo Coastal Defenders Network.

A NPWS spokesperson stated in the Echo on 11 November that:

  • ‘The department manages Richmond River Nature Reserve, which is at the northern end of South Ballina Beach… Four-wheel-driving is not permitted on the beach adjacent to Richmond River Nature Reserve.’
  • ‘NPWS rangers and field officers are onsite in Richmond River Nature Reserve and Broadwater National Park most weekends.’
  • ‘NPWS has issued over 300 fines in the past two years for various offences in Richmond River Nature Reserve and Broadwater National Park.’

Passing the buck?

Stephen Totterman told Echonetdaily that NPWS is ‘passing the buck’ to other authorities regarding the 17 km long section of beach between Richmond River Nature Reserve and Broadwater National Park, which adjoins a narrow Crown Reserve.

He said, ‘Actually the NPWS have managed the Richmond River Area Pied Oystercatcher Protection Program from 1997 to 2013 and Richmond River Area Shorebird Protection Program from 2014 to the present, and so are responsible for shorebird protection along the entire length of South Ballina Beach.’

4WD and wheel tracks on the beach in Richmond River Nature Reserve, 15 November 2020. Photo Coastal Defenders Network.

In regard to the NPWS claim of being present ‘most weekends’, Mr Totterman said of the dates he has observed in the latter half of this year, ‘I haven’t seen any NPWS rangers and field officers anywhere on South Ballina Beach on 5, 11, or 19 July; 8 August, 27 September; 25, 31 October or 1, 7,14-15 November.

‘I haven’t seen any NPWS rangers and field officers anywhere on Airforce Beach on 4, 11, 18 July; 1-2 August; 24-25, 31 October or 1, 7, 14-15 November.’

Fines not working

Mr Totterman said the statement from the NPWS about fines is misleading because enforcement actions have not sufficiently changed driver behaviour, with the 4WD problem worsening every weekend.

Beaches being loved to death by 4WD enthusiasts? Some of the vehicles on Seven Mile Beach, 14 November 2020. Photo Coastal Defenders Network.

The primary cause of this problem is the increasing demand for beach driving,’ he said.

‘Will the NPWS and other authorities allow ‘invasive’ 4WDs to take over our beaches?’ asked Mr Totterman.

‘I reaffirm my claim that the NPWS are not taking firm action to protect threatened beach nesting birds from vehicle-based recreation on Airforce Beach and South Ballina Beach, including Broadwater NP and Richmond River Nature Reserve,’ he said.

‘They have not shown leadership on this issue.’

 


More stories about 4WDs on South Ballina Beach

Recreational 4WDs to be phased out on Ballina beaches?

Ballina Shire Council has resolved to address the increasing safety risks posed by 4WDs on Seven Mile Beach in Lennox Head, which is the last remaining vehicle access point in the shire.

2

4WD access at South Ballina Beach

It has come to my attention that at the next Ballina Council meeting on Thursday, November 23, there will be a motion brought forward to again discuss/alter the present status of the South Ballina Beach 4WD access. The decision...

5

Greens still smiling after a year on Ballina Council

Some people would need counselling after a year in minority on Ballina Shire Council, but Greens councillors Kiri Dicker and Simon Chate are still optimistic and looking forward to the next chapter. They spoke to The Echo about the big issues of 2022 and what they're hoping to achieve in 2023.

0

4WD restrictions at South Ballina beach to stay

Moves towards use of a smart phone app to help control 4WD access to South Ballina’s beach have failed in a recent Ballina Shire Council meeting.

4

Bruem pushes Ballina council to debate 4WDs on beaches again

After two years of four-wheel drive [4WD] access restrictions to South Ballina’s beach, the Ballina Shire Council is to debate a review of the system this Thursday.

16


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

1 COMMENT

  1. Hard not to conclude the NPWS respondent either lied, or thought no-one would know, or both.
    Well played Mr Totterman! What else is exaggerated? Over 300 fines in less than 2 years is a lot without changing driver behaviour.
    Now to try to get them to actually do, what they claimed they do.
    Having a Ranger rostered on for weekend duty doesn’t mean they actually leave the office. Especially if conservation of endangered shorebirds and law enforcement aren’t national parks management priorities !
    Never seen a field officer doing law enforcement – nor is it their job description.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Surf’s up for World Pro-Adaptive Titles in Byron

Favourable conditions are expected for the World Pro-Adaptive Surfing Titles 2024, to be held at Byron Bay’s Main Beach from today.

More calls for federal intervention in Wallum estate plans

Another ecologist has added their name to the community campaign against development on environmentally sensitive land in Brunswick Heads.

Body found near Byron in search for missing man

A body believed to be that of a man reported missing last week has been found, police on the weekend said.

State of destruction

Tasmanians go to the polls next weekend, in an early election brought on by Liberal Premier Jeremy Rockcliff, whose party has fractured during its ten years in office but is currently warning voters not to elect a Labor minority government, which he's been calling a 'Coalition of Chaos'.