Yorke Peninsula Coastal Access Strategy 2025-2035 released for public consultation amid controversy over 4WD beach bans

Four-wheel-drivers and walkers alike feature in the plan that architects say is critical for cultural and environmental protection. Do you agree? Have your say.

Plans for the Yorke Peninsula Coastal Access Strategy 2025-2035 are now out for public response, with official quick to stress: “It’s not intended to remove people’s access to beaches.”

However, the plan may stop 4WD and trail bike access for environmental reasons, and potentially foot traffic to some of the peninsula’s 700km of coastal areas if deemed of Indigenous significance.

Proposed action includes “restricting access to sensitive areas to prevent further ecological and cultural damage,” designated access tracks, improved infrastructure and signs to promote responsible behaviour.

Documents seen by The Advertiser show there are moves for more general “access restrictions and closure of adjacent tracks” to protect areas declared as Indigenous cultural heritage sites and that the entire peninsula is regarded as “of significance for Narungga people.”

As well as protecting Indigenous sites, the plan aims to safeguard fragile dunes, shorebird nesting sites, wildlife habitats and other environmentally sensitive areas.

No specific coastal sites, beaches, tracks or campsites are named.

4WD tracks on Yorke Peninsula beaches.

The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board developed the draft strategy with government departments, regional councils, Yorke Peninsula Tourism, Narungga organisations, local stakeholders and community members.

“It’s not intended to remove people’s access to beaches, but instead aims to protect our delicate coastal areas while ensuring we can continue to enjoy them responsibly,” it states.

Board general manager Tony Fox said people have “a right to enjoy our coastal spaces, but it’s important to get the balance right.”

People having fun at Wauraltee Beach, Yorke Peninsula, where overnight camping was banned from February 3 this year. Picture: Tim Joy

“While we all love to see people flocking to Yorke Peninsula, social media is driving a visitation boom that’s unsustainable for the coastline’s existing facilities, infrastructure and the environment,” he said.

“This is resulting in increased impacts on the coastline including pollution, trampled vegetation and damage to dune systems and native animal habitats.

“The solution isn’t just about people taking their rubbish home with them. This is why this strategy is so important, it’s about working together to ensure Yorke Peninsula beaches are not harmed beyond repair so that it continues to be an attractive destination to live, work and holiday.

“The ultimate goal is to ensure people continue to visit their favourite beaches while reducing damaging behaviours such as making new tracks and unnecessarily driving through fragile coastal sand dunes.”

Yorke Peninsula coastal camping. Picture: Adam Bruzzone / SATC

Four Wheel Drive South Australia president Greg Chase says members are concerned about loss of access due to large areas potentially being declared culturally important, and that closing trails would result in only the fittest hikers being able to get to some beaches.

Go to www.bit.ly/YPCoastalStrategyto complete the survey or visit regional council offices for a printed copy. Consultation closes on March 20 with the strategy expected to be finalised by mid-2025, see also landscape.sa.gov.au/ny.