Camera IconCredit: Supplied/Supplied, Aerial Vantage

City of Wanneroo’s drone beach blitz trial a success

Lucy JarvisNorth Coast Times

DRONES helped the City of Wanneroo in its blitz against vehicles driving on beaches this summer.

Rangers trialled drones to expand search areas and avoid dangerous pursuits of people illegally driving on the City’s beaches in January.

The City launched the campaign to further enforce the decade-old ban on beach driving before Christmas following several near miss incidents that it said could have resulted in the death of beach goers.

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According to a statement from the City, the measures are also for the environmental protection of the foreshore and dune systems, which are susceptible to erosion.

A convoy of four vehicles received multiple fines for driving on the beach at Two Rocks in broad daylight.

The City’s community and place director Debbie Terelinck said she was surprised at the number of people claiming that they did not know it was illegal to drive on metropolitan beaches.

“Vehicle access to beaches in greater metropolitan Perth – from Mandurah to Two Rocks – has not been allowed for between 10 and 20 years,” she said.

“Cars and bikes are totally incompatible with families using the beach for recreational activities such as picnics, walks and swimming.

“Our primary concern will always be for the safety and protection of beach users.

“Having looked at some of the 4WD social media sites I have to say many enthusiasts promote doing the right thing, posting maps about where people can and where they should not go.”

The crackdown received widespread publicity via variable message signs on Marmion Avenue, the City’s website and in Community Newspaper Group publications.

In addition, there was a high level of communication across social media sites used by four-wheel-driving enthusiasts.

The City is continuing its crackdown and using more aerial technology to identify vehicles in prohibited areas, including dune systems.