Media response - cars at Moana beach
Published on 24 January 2023
Response to The Advertiser.
- Could I please speak to someone from the council regarding a Facebook post they made about 4WDs on Moana beach on January 1? I'm doing a story on tourist impact in 'Instagrammable' areas and am wanting to know how many tourists Moana sees, advice for them, what they do that impacts the beach/environment, etc.
Mow many tourists visit Moana beach (comments on how busy it is compared to other years would be great)
Although we have no official statistics on visitor numbers, we have anecdotally seen an increase in numbers of people visiting our beaches this summer. We expect this is due to River Murray restrictions and Goolwa Beach’s current condition due to the floods.
What issues do some present (driving on sand dunes in 4WD's, rubbish, etc.)
This season we’ve seen an increase in people driving their vehicles in restricted areas i.e., the pebble banks and soft sand at the top of Moana Beach. We have no direct information to confirm an increase in rubbish being left behind.
How that impacts the beach/environment/community, what the council does about it
Increased crowds on beaches can increase the amount of litter. Council’s role includes traffic management at our beach ramps; monitoring by-law requirements (through our community safety officers or ‘rangers’), dog management, and supporting Marine and Harbours to regulate personal watercrafts; working with Hooded Plover volunteers to protect the endangered species; supporting ramp attendants with collection of fees; providing free beach passes to Onkaparinga residents; grading of sand and beach access ramps; cleaning toilets; providing bins; and waste removal.
What the council want to see from visitors to the beach
We’re asking everyone to respect the beautiful environment and help ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit that protects the coast and its wildlife for future generations to enjoy.
Here are some top tips for beachgoers ahead of their visit:
- please visit our Facebook page on Australia Day to check when the beach vehicle ramps are closed
- stay on the hard sand
- keep to the 10 km/hour speed limit
- look out for the signs about where to drive and park
- exit the beach before high tide
- take your rubbish home
- bring your free beach permit or pay the $8 ramp access fee
- observe parking restrictions, and leash your dogs, around Hooded Plover nests. These birds are threatened with extinction if we don’t give them safe places to breed over summer.
For the full list of tips and advice, visit https://www.onkaparinganow.com/News-listing/beach-tips-for-Australia-day
Have the council seen other tourist areas affected by tourists doing the wrong thing (please list them, what tourists are doing)
We’ve seen an increase of numbers on all our beaches, both drive-on and non-vehicle. We’ve not identified any specific adverse effects of the increase in these numbers, though we have seen an increase in social media posts regarding vehicle behaviour on beaches, including speeding and hoon driving, which are matters for SA Police. There have been several positive outcomes with SAPOL locating and taking action against these drivers.
Do tourists face fines for doing the wrong thing?
Each of our by-laws are enforceable by way of expiation notice or prosecution.
ENDS