Media response - car crowds on beaches
Published on 11 January 2021
Response to The Advertiser.
The reporter has heard there were lines of cars trying to get on to Aldinga Beach over the weekend. She’d like to know:
- Were we aware of this issue on the weekend and what was the cause of it?
- What can/will council do to help solve this issue at Onkaparinga’s beaches as hot days continue and popular days such as Australia Day are coming up?
- She also wanted some clarity around who is stationed on the beach to collect the ramp fees e.g. volunteers and how these fees are used.
Comments attributed to Mayor Erin Thompson
This past weekend saw perfect beach weather conditions combine with school holidays, resulting in busy days at Onkaparinga’s beautiful beaches.
It can sometimes take a little longer for drivers to access Aldinga, Moana, Sliver Sands and Sellicks at the height of summer compared to non-peak times, but there are processes in place to ensure beachgoers can enjoy the beach as quickly and safely as possible. Additional traffic management is put in place each year on Australia Day.
City of Onkaparinga residents are eligible for a free beach permit, while those without permits can pay an $8 ramp fee to drive onto the beach in accordance with council bylaws.
The fees are collected by community group volunteers, with the group receiving 50 per cent (plus GST) of the income received, and council using the remaining funds for foreshore maintenance and projects.
If you’re planning to drive on our beaches this summer, please look out for the new signs that have been erected to help guide motorists about where to drive and park.
A 10km/hour speed limit applies to vehicles on the beaches at Moana, Aldinga, Silver Sands and Sellicks for the safety of all beach users and wildlife.
While the vast majority of beachgoers comply with measures to protect sensitive areas of our coast, it’s important to remember not to drive on the sensitive areas of the beach such as sand dunes, pebble banks, high beach (where the seaweed accumulates) and dry soft sands.
Driving on these areas can disrupt the beaches’ natural recovery process, making them more susceptible to erosion and storm damage. It can also destroy habitat for wildlife such as the vulnerable Hooded Plover.
Please stay on the hard sand, exit the beach before high tide, take your rubbish home and observe parking restrictions around Hooded Plover nests. These birds are threatened with extinction if we don’t give them safe places to breed over summer.
Volunteer beach ramp attendants will be handing out ‘Driving on Beaches’ flyers in 2021 to keep beachgoers well informed. You can also collect the flyers from our council offices.
We’re asking everyone to respect the beautiful environment we’re fortunate to have and keep to the 10 km/hour speed limit, ensuring a safe and enjoyable visit that protects our coast and its wildlife for future generations to enjoy.
ENDS