Could Ritamada Reserve near Emu Park become a four-wheel-drive park?

In a shock twist, the same council that just introduced restrictions on four-wheel-driving on the Capricorn Coast’s most popular beach is about to look at the prospects of opening up three more beaches to vehicle access.

Livingstone Shire councillor Adam Belot stands on Ritamada Road at Emu Park on November 22, 2022.

The council that recently introduced restrictions on four-wheel-driving on the Capricorn Coast’s most popular beach, Farnborough, is set to look at the prospects of opening up three more beaches to vehicle access.

One of the three sites being investigated, the Ritamada Bathing Reserve, could even be turned into a 4WD park according to Livingstone Shire councillor Adam Belot who is taking a “let’s look at all possibilities” approach.

On the back of a push from Mr Belot at the November council meeting, Livingstone’s councillors via a majority vote decided to endorse the establishment of a reference group tasked with exploring the possibilities of vehicle usage at Ritamada Bathing Reserve, Timbers Beach at Zilzie, and Long Beach at Joskeleigh.

The section of Ritamada Road that turns from bitumen to dirt.

Speaking after that meeting, Mr Belot said the possibility of opening up more of the Capricorn Coast’s beaches to vehicle access could take the pressure off the popular Farnborough stretch of coastline that has been in the news recently.

“Potentially allowing four-wheel-drive activity (at other beaches) could give our young people somewhere to go in a safe environment, in a managed environment by virtue of what restrictions you put in place,” Mr Belot said.

“So it’s actually the restrictions and the boundaries you put in place that make it workable, and they may be very, very stringent - ie. with no activity at night, it may be restricted days during the week, or a whole range of limitations on it, but it still then allows for that (beach driving) activity to occur there.

“Which, it’s better to occur there in a way that’s controlled, and provide an outlet for four-wheel-drive users which we currently are struggling to provide.”

The recently erected sign at the beach end of Ritamada Road as seen on November 22, 2022.

Mr Belot said he hoped Livingstone’s reference group would look at all options.

“Let’s look at it,” he said.

“Let’s look at all possibilities.

“I would hope that the reference group considers, if you were going to open up access for four-wheel-drives on these beaches that don’t have houses close by, what could we allow to occur there?

“And by virtue of the restrictions and limitations you put in place, that’s what makes it actually viable and acceptable activity there.”

Rowan King and his mates enjoy some four-wheel driving and surfing at Farnborough Beach.

Mr Belot said the reference group would be made up of people from “diverse sectors of the community”.

“Similar to Bangalee where we have Queensland Police, we have National Parks, we have the marine park represented, we have community members, four-wheel-drive clubs and fishing clubs,” he said.

“All with the understanding that we’re coming together to try and consider, if we were going to open up areas like this to vehicle activity, what would we need to do to ensure to the best of our ability that it is safe, it’s sustainable, and there’s low impact on people and the environment.

“And is there a way to do that, and if there is, let’s provide recommendations to the council based on our collective views.

“And then it would be up to council if they were prepared to go that way or not.”

At the Ritamada Bathing Reserve, Livingstone Shire Council recently erected a sign (pictured) which reminds people of their limitations when driving on the beach there in accordance with local laws.

Originally published as Could Ritamada Reserve near Emu Park become a four-wheel-drive park?