Media response - beach vehicle access fees
Published on 13 September 2024
Response to The Advertiser and Yahoo News Australia.
How much money is council expecting to make during this upcoming beach season?
In 2024/25, $375,000 in permit revenue is projected from beach day passes, of which $125,000 will support community groups operating our beach access ramps and $250,000 will go towards the management and maintenance of the foreshore.
What is the reason for the significant price change given families are already coping with cost-of-living issues?
The permit fee was last increased in 2019 and the current fee reflects increasing costs to maintain our foreshore environment and manage safe use where vehicles are permitted.
When does the price rise take effect from?
The updated fee applies this summer while the beach ramps are in attendance.
Was there public consultation?
This increase was identified in the council’s Annual Business Plan and Budget, which included community engagement from 19 April 2024 -13 May 2024.
Last year, volunteers made back 50 per cent of the payment. Has that changed this year? If so, why?
Last year community groups received $4.00 per fee collected, this figure remains unchanged.
Fines for people who are on the beach in a vehicle without a payment or permit looks to have jumped up a considerable amount as well from ~ $170 to $312. Do you have an exact increase and reasoning?
The previous expiation fee for driving on a foreshore where vehicle access is permitted, without having first obtained a beach pass, was $105.00. The current expiation fee is $187.00. Council revised its by-law fees after the Foreshore by-law was remade in 2023.
Where on the beaches can you park? Are you changing the rules around where you can go, speed ‘limits, etc.
Vehicle access has been regulated on parts of our foreshore since 1975, placing conditions to regulate vehicle speed on entrance ramps and on the foreshore as well as access hours and exclusion areas over or along any sand dunes. Council permits vehicles on a portion of Aldinga, Moana, Sellicks and Silver Sands beaches. Drivers are required to obey all signage and vehicles are not permitted in upper foreshore reserve areas, through vegetation, pebble banks, sand dunes and hooded plover breeding sites. A review of our foreshore by-law was recently undertaken, including public consultation and no changes were made to our vehicle access areas, with all other beach access conditions remaining the same. A 10km/h speed limit is in place on our beaches.
How much does a permit cost? And do you have to renew it yearly?
Beach day passes are $12. All City of Onkaparinga residents are entitled to a free seasonal beach pass, available from council offices and the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre from November each year.
ENDS