surf beach 11

At the March meeting of Wattle Range Council consideration was given to correspondence from the Wattle Range 4WD Club requesting Council to consider making the closure of portion of the ‘beach’ adjacent to the popular Beachport Surf Beach a seasonal closure. The Club also expressed concern that the closure of the Surf Beach to vehicular traffic might be the first of other beach closures.
Wattle Range Council Mayor, Mark Braes, in summing up discussion at the Council meeting said, “that Council has never contemplated closure of beaches in the past, does not have the authority to close beaches and would be surprised if Council would support any Beach closures. What has occurred at the surf beach was only possible as that particular part of the Beach is designated as a ‘road reserve’ and therefore comes under the care and control of Council. It is a unique and one off situation”.
This unique circumstance comes about by the fact that portion of the Millicent-Beachport Road extends down to low water mark, making the ‘beach’ part of the road reserve.
The issues of seasonal closures was considered with some concern being expressed as to the confusion this may cause to beach users and recognition that there are a variety of users throughout the whole of the year including surfers and windsurfers.
Mayor Braes added that “the closure of that small section of the ‘beach’ by Council was about ensuring the safety of users. Throughout the discussion Council recognised that there was alternative access to the beach for those people who wished to take vehicles onto the beach.”
Council resolved to retain the current road closure arrangements in place and to meet with the 4WD Club to explain the circumstances enabling the closure of the beach/road reserve.