Media response - hoon driving at Aldinga

Published on 29 January 2024

Response to Yahoo News Australia.

• I saw council comments on a video shared on social media showing a driver behaving recklessly at Aldinga beach. Hoping for some insight from the council about this for a story today. We've seen other council areas across the country actually ban cars on beaches for this reason over fears beaches are getting ruined, plus this behaviour makes it unsafe for people visiting.  Is this a common problem you're faced with? What sort of damage is being done? Does council often warn against such behaviour? Would love to better understand the council's stance on this. Generally, what you think of this behaviour and what needs to be done to stop it. 

Comments attributed to Mayor Moira Were

Onkaparinga is home to some of SA’s best beaches—several of them allowing vehicle access—so it’s no surprise thousands flock here on hot days to spend the day with family and friends

The majority of beachgoers comply with measures to protect other people and the environment. However, there is infrequent antisocial behaviour from the few that don’t comply, which does attract lots of attention on the beach and online afterwards—particularly because Onkaparinga residents have strong pride in the health and safety of our local beaches.

A 10km/h speed limit has applied to vehicles on our beaches at Moana, Aldinga, Silver Sands and Sellicks for many years, and we urge any beachgoers to report vehicle offences such as speeding and dangerous/hoon driving to SA Police at the time its occurring on 131 444, or 000 if there’s an immediate danger to people.

Our community safety officers (or ‘rangers’) monitor our beaches every day during peak times to provide community education and enforcement controls on a range of matters including vehicle compliance, littering, dogs on leads during prohibited times, keeping a safe distance from Hooded Plover nesting sites, as well as supporting Marine Safety SA in its regulation of personal watercrafts.

We have signage at turnoff points and beach entrances, and additional traffic management at beach ramp entrances, while also increasing our educational messaging via social media and our website during summer. Bollards are installed in key areas to encourage vehicles to drive and park appropriately on the hard sand parts of the beach.

We also enforce vehicle-free areas (including temporary signage and vehicle exclusions around Hooded Plover nest sites) and a seasonal beach closure south of the Aldinga Beach vehicle access ramp from 1 May to 30 September.

The behaviour exhibited in the recent Aldinga video is very poor and unacceptable and, as a reminder to anyone undertaking such behaviour, we’re aware of at least two hoon drivers who had their vehicles impounded by SAPOL on our beaches last summer.

If you’re headed to our beaches this summer, please take your rubbish home with you, take note of the signs to help guide you on where to drive and park, 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