Vehicles to be banned from Farnborough Beach at night during three-month trial

In a controversial move, all vehicles will be banned from Yeppoon’s most popular beach at night. Here’s exactly how it will be policed and how those breaking the rules will be hit with $575 fines.

All vehicles will be banned from Yeppoon’s most popular beach at night during a three-month trial aimed at stopping reckless hoons.

But just how will it be policed and when will offenders be hit in the hip pocket? Read on.

The controversial issue of beach safety on this stretch of coastline has plagued Capricorn Coast authorities for decades and Livingstone Shire Council has finally acted.

At Livingstone’s August monthly meeting, councillors voted unanimously to support closing both Bangalee and Sandy Point vehicle beach accesses to vehicular traffic at night for a three-month trial.

As part of the approved trial, Farnborough Beach will be closed to motorists from 8pm to 4am, seven days a week.

The drastic move was the brainchild of the Bangalee Beach Access Reference Group which was established in February to oversee beach access issues.

Four-wheel-driving on Farnborough Beach is a popular pastime. Generic image.

The formation of the group followed years of debate about how to best protect the environment and local community from hoons.

No official start date has yet been announced for the trial, as the council will first need to source the equipment required to police the night ban.

That equipment will include night vision cameras and Livingstone’s manager of Engineering Services, Tony Lau, revealed just how effective that technology would be.

“The hard part I suppose, is how do we monitor any infringements,” Mr Lau told councillors.

“Our proposal is to install cameras, CCTV cameras, and with night vision etc, and motion detectors.

“So these are cameras, high in quality cameras, that we have worked with the police (on), discussed with the police and discussed with council’s rangers as well.

“So the cameras we’re looking to buy have facial recognition and number plate recognition.

“And those two key elements are what the Queensland police require to issue infringement notices, and our council rangers can also issue (them) based on photographs or even video evidence.”

At the council meeting, Mr Lau was also asked about the potential for physical barriers such as boom gates, to which he replied:

“(Council) officers have decided it’s not ideal... installing cameras would be the best option.”

Under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995, both Queensland Police Service and the council have the power to temporarily close roads and issue infringement notices for contravening road closure signs.

As part of the trial, the council will erect signage at the vehicle beach accesses.

The council says warnings will be issued to motorists during the first month of the trial, but those disobeying the closure in the second and third months will face $575 fines.

Cr Adam Belot, who has driven the need to address beach safety on this stretch for years, said the temporary road closure supported the desire of the community.

“The dunal system and turtle nesting sites along the coastline are constantly threatened by hoons particularly at night,” Cr Belot said.

“It’s hoped this temporary road closure will ease the risk of harm caused by motorists driving through dunes and nesting sites.

“It also aims to protect the Bangalee community from hooning between the hours of 8pm to 4am.

“It’s incumbent on all levels of government to try and make things better ultimately for the people they serve and that’s really what this council is trying to do in relation to a very complex problem.”

Residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback via a survey following the trial.