Council will discuss new motion to restrict 4WD access to Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head

There are concerns that the closure of South Ballina Beach has had a negative impact on Seven Mile Beach, with almost 3000 vehicles counted over a 30-day period.

A new motion to limit the number of 4WD vehicles that can access Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head may be discussed by Ballina Shire Council later this month. Picture: Istock

A new motion to limit the number of 4WD vehicles that can access Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head may be discussed by Ballina Shire Council later this month.

Councillor Jeff Johnson confirmed he was preparing to lodge a motion that, if passed, will mean the council would only issue 12-month permits to 4WD vehicles to access the beach.

These permits would only issued at the council’s administration counter.

The council would then implement a system at the 4WD entrance to the beach — such as a gate and electronic key — to stop vehicles without a permit from going onto the beach, Mr Johnson said.

“I support local families, fishermen, surfers and those who are less mobile to continue to access the remote area of Seven Mile Beach,” he said.

“By removing the day-weekend permits (and the ticket machine opposite the surf club) it will stop 4WD tourism and ensure that all permit holders have to go into the council’s administration building to get the permit, show ID and sign a Code of Conduct.”

The behaviour of 4WD users at Seven Mile Beach (pictured) and South Ballina Beach has been criticised for years.

The council currently has an automated ticketing machine at the four wheel drive entrance to Seven Mile Beach, which allows drivers to purchase tickets.

A traffic counter placed at the 4WD entry at Seven Mile Beach between April 1 and 30 this year counted 2883 vehicles using the beach access during that period.

South Ballina Beach was closed to vehicle access by the NSW Government on March 31, due to ongoing concerns about public safety and impacts to the environment and Aboriginal heritage values.

Mr Johnson said he feared the closure of South Ballina Beach would lead to an increase in the number of 4WD vehicles at Seven Mile Beach.

“It is my concern that the closure of South Ballina beach has already increased the number of 4WD vehicles heading to Seven Mile Beach, particularly from outside the Ballina Shire,” he said.

“While the beaches are Crown Reserves, they are managed by Ballina Council and rate payers pay for maintaining the access tracks, administration of the permits and periodic monitoring and compliance.

“If we can’t restrict the vehicles to those registered within the Ballina Shire then so be it, but that is definitely my preferred position.

Councillor Jeff Johnson. Photo Contributed

Another motion presented by Mr Johnson at the May Ballina Shire Council meeting was defeated.

It would have only allowed people who lived in the Ballina Shire to gain access to the beach, and only via six and 12-month permits.

This was Mr Johnson’s third motion in two years trying to regulate access to the beach.

Some councillors agreed with the spirit of the motion, but did not support changes to the management of the beach until the review of the Coastal Reserve Plan of Management is finished.

Matthew Wood, the manager of Strategic Planning at council, confirmed in May that the plan was still “months away” from being completed.