North Shields beach becomes ‘no go zone’ for vehicles after decades of family fun

Boaties, beachgoers and locals have lost out after an Eyre Peninsula council denied access to a popular beach boat ramp by car.

North Shields beach access denied for vehicles.

New signage at the North Shields boat ramp restricting vehicle entry has been identified as property of the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula (DCLEP.)

The signs were initially erected on July 30, without representation, confusing locals and wreaking frustration on community social media pages.

“To all you people that use North Shields beach to have a picnic or take your kids up the end to swim in the nice shallow warm water - and you fishermen that don‘t mind going up there as well, you had better get your heads together and give the council hell about this” a Port Lincoln Facebook community group member said.

“Somebody has to be responsible for this sign as they gave no indication as to who is responsible.”

“At this time I think the sign may be illegal.”

The original no access North Shields beach sign without council branding.

Council has since placed adhesive stickers on the signs to identify their authority of the changes.

District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula CEO Delfinia Lanzilli confirmed today that “it‘s a tricky situation to be in” but restrictions of vehicles are a necessary measure due to community grievances regarding the jetty end of the beach.

“We‘ve had significant complaints over the last year or so, regarding vehicles utilising that particular area of the beach which has become quite unsafe” Ms Lanzilli said.

“The reason why we had to restrict vehicle access is basically because we need the Coastal Protection Board approval to allow vehicles to access that particular part of the beach and we have been unable to secure that approval.”

DCLEP have pursued the Coast Protection Board for the past two years seeking a formal vehicle access point 900m north of the jetty, but have been unable to prove the significant environmental benefit required for having vehicles ashore.

The beach is still accessible by foot. It was long enjoyed by families and tourists in the summer who flocked to the white-sand stretch to line their cars up.

Easten Road property owner, who wished not to be named, said he can’t imagine why any North Shields residents would oppose vehicle access to the left of the old northern ramp and beyond.

“Three big piles of dirt have been dumped on the old ramp and now these signs - it’s bulls**t, and for me to swear, it must be bad,” he said.

North Shields beach access denied for vehicles. Picture: Micaela Stark

Mounds of dirt have replaced the old beach access ramp which is directly in line with the last residential property at the dead end of Easten Rd.

Ms Lanzilli recommended accessing North Shields beach via alternative points, however, later confirmed these roads are on privately owned properties, not available for general public access.

Questions have been raised how those who cannot physically walk will access the beach now with others in favour of the closure due to the threat of human activity on local wildlife.

The Coast Protection Board were contacted for comment in regards to the council’s development application but did not respond by publication.