Ongoing abuse of the beach by 4WD users has seen locals call for a closure of the beach to 4WD and motorbikes.
Richmond Valley Council (RVC) has repeatedly warned beach users that they need to respect the beach and no-go zones or it will be closed.
Locals are pointing out that, ‘There are flagrant violations of the rules all the time and not just during holiday periods. Quite apart from speeding, a significant number of 4WD users are driving through the dunes, a prohibited activity; letting their dogs off their leads past the clearly designated ‘no-go sign’ for dogs to the north of the Airforce Beach entrance; driving through the prohibited black rocks area to the north all the way to the White Sandhill at Broadwater Beach; driving dangerously near other beach users; driving through flocks of roosting birds, some of them endangered, at the entrance of Salty Creek to the Ocean at the Salty Lagoon complex in Broadwater National Park; camping illegally and lighting fires, a prohibited activity; and, leaving their rubbish behind including smashed beer bottles, empty tin cans and plastic and materials’.
Close the beach
Evans Head Residents for Sustainable Development Incorporated (EHRSDI), and the Coastal Defenders Network are now insisting that RVC lives up to its word and closes the remainder of the Evans Head to Ballina Beach to 4WDs and motorcycles because of the damage being done, loss of amenity to other beach users, and clear violations of the rules.
‘It is often claimed that the problem is being created by interstate visitors but it is very clear that a number of those breaking the law are locals who appear to have little regard for the rules and respect for other users,’ the two groups pointed out in a press release.
A spokesperson for EHRSDI said today that ‘what has been happening for some time now is a classic example of the Tragedy of the Commons, where, given unlimited and unpoliced access to a resource, the resource is overused and often abused with the end result that its value is destroyed for all users’.
‘The problem’s been unfolding for years on the Evans Head to Ballina Beach, made worse by the fact that beaches in other areas are being closed because of overuse and abuse, and so they come to Evans Head where they know ‘you can mostly do what you please’ because those responsible for its management aren’t doing their job’.
No benefit for local economy
‘Ballina Shire Council had the sense to close the Broadwater-to-Ballina portion of the beach some years ago now, but Richmond Valley Council continues to fail in its public obligations to manage the beach and to live up to its promise to close the beach. It seems to have fallen prey to the argument that closure of the beach will have some profound impact on the Evans Head economy, a nonsense’.
‘We have yet to see any evidence that that closure of the beach will have any impact on the Evans Head economy. On the contrary, it could be argued that closure of the beach would benefit the local economy because the beach would be more attractive to other users who come to Evans Head to enjoy its beaches and clean air unfettered by diesel fumes. And come to enjoy our wonderful local environment without having to witness it being trashed. It is well known that the natural beauty of Evans Head is a major attraction for a wide variety of interest groups. Our beaches our part of the attraction’.
Close Airforce Beach entrance
‘We have had considerable feedback from local residents complaining about the 4WD drive entrance at Airforce Beach with noisy traffic at all hours of the day and night destroying their local amenity. The “peace and quiet” has gone. They want the entrance closed.
‘We have also been told by a number of locals including beach users that they are afraid to speak up publicly for fear of retribution. Because of our interest they forward information, including pictures, on to us.
‘Some of the 4WD users claim it is “their right” to be able to access the beach, a claim without merit or legal standing. It would appear that “the right” does not appear to be accompanied by any sense of responsibility to the community and other users.
EHRSDI notes that Richmond Valley Council, at the recent Iron Gates Appeal in the Land & Environment Court, gave evidence that it ‘does not have the resources to manage what it currently has’.
‘It would appear that this applies to the management of their portion of the Evans Head to Ballina Beach,’ said the EHRSDI spokesperson.
‘We regularly attend and walk the beach and rarely, if ever, see any Richmond Valley Council compliance officers on patrol. This applies to other “agencies” as well which share responsibility for policing the beach. Where are these policing agencies? If the beach can’t be policed and there aren’t the resources to do so, the beach must be closed in the public interest to protect it. Enough is enough. Council needs to live up to its entrance sign. The beach must be closed to 4WDs’.
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