DEAR News Of The Area,
AS a Councillor in his third term the issues that I am challenged over more than any other is the issue of Four Wheel Drives on our beaches.
Thank you to Peter Sobey and James Sakker for bringing this issue into the public arena.
There is an old Chinese curse, “may you live in times of change”, and indeed now is such a time on so many fronts.
We have seen an explosion in the ownership of these very large vehicles over the last decade or so and also the growth in the popularity of driving as a recreational activity, not the traditional use. Locally, our most popular beaches are now facing a crush, families enjoying the beach, fishers, people with dogs, all on a very thin strip of sand with an increasing number of Four Wheel Drives.
I believe most of these Four Wheel Drives are now coming from outside the Valley as many Councils faced with this crush are banning them from their own beaches.
This has resulted in an increase of ‘off-road’ enthusiasts using our beaches.
People speak of groups of vehicles (many with VIC or QLD number plates) arriving together, driving together and not coming for the beach but more for the almost rally type driving.
Many of these vehicles also drive and damage fire trails, which are essential for the access of the forests during bushfires.
We are faced with options:
1) Do nothing.
2) Restrict the permits to people who live in the Valley.
3) Allow emergency vehicles, commercial fishers and vehicles with boats at ramps.
4) Hold a referendum at the next Council election to democratically resolve this issue.
5) A combination of the above.
Regards,
Cr David JONES,
Nambucca Valley Council.
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