Beach no place for 4WDs

The rapid growth in the northern corridor of the metropolitan region has welcomed many residents to the area, including many young families who have built homes in Shorehaven, Trinity and Amberton estates specifically to be close to beaches.

Young families, couples or singles are enjoying those beaches more than ever and recent events on the beach involving reckless motorists have highlighted the need to take strong action and enforce existing laws.

While no-one, including police, wants to diminish the lifestyle motorists have enjoyed, times have changed and it is no longer safe to drive on the beach.

Vehicle access to beaches for the general public has always been illegal, although the long stretch of coastline and lack of development contributed to a lack of enforcement in the past.

The majority of motoring enthusiasts drive with appropriate levels of care for people and the environment and always will.

Unfortunately that cannot be said for all ” certain offending motorists have put families in harm’s way and have attempted to excuse their behaviour by indicating they have ‘always driven on the beach’, or they have ‘every right to drive on the beach’ which is incorrect.

The land people are driving on is private property and is subject to development for the thousands of homes.

The fact they are physically able to drive over sand dunes and access the beach does not make it right.

A rally was held on March 1 after a recent incident at an Alkimos beach in which a speeding four-wheel drive came dangerously close to a young child playing in the sand with her mother.

I applaud the residents of Shorehaven Estate for taking this issue on and holding various agencies including Yanchep police to account.

A police presence made a difference when an unregistered motorbike was ridden along Shorehaven Boulevard during this event ” the male rider was apprehended and he now has a date in court to explain his actions.

Various stakeholders, including local and state governments, land development companies, such as Peet, and local police, are in regular contact to address this matter in a holistic manner.

I urge people to continue taking photographs and reporting vehicles illegally accessing the beach and keep in contact with the City of Wanneroo rangers and Yanchep police.

Read more here.