Surf’s not up as beachgoers challenge COVID-19 restrictions around the state

Tassie’s surfers are going head to head with the State Government as tough lockdown laws close surfing hotspots around the state.

Clifton Beach Conservation Area closed by Parks and Wildlife due to COVID-19. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

SURFERS are bummed as the some of the best places to catch a wave have been shut down.

The State Government has shut down the hotspots as part of coronavirus lockdowns of Tasmania’s parks and reserves.

Surfing Tasmania and the State’s “surfing senator” Peter Whish-Wilson have asked for clarification so the surfing community and the broader public know which beaches are closed due to who controls that slice of coastline.

As it stands, beaches in national parks and reserves are closed but others controlled by councils are not.

The State Government said it had not given any directive to local councils to close beaches under their jurisdiction but those inside closed reserves were now off limits.

Surfing Tasmania said it received 1600 hits on its social media post about the issue within the first half an hour.

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“For example Park Beach and Carlton Beach at Dodges Ferry are open but Clifton Beach is closed. We need clarification,” the spokesman said this morning.

Surfing Tasmania wrote to the Premier Peter Gutwein saying it made no sense to ban recreational surfers, beach walkers fishermen and immediate coastal communities from using their local, and often isolated, beaches providing the standard precautions are adhered to.

President Michael Lawrence said it had not been consulted before the closure of parks and reserves.

“Many of those beaches are locations used by surfers for the past 60 years and 

include areas of the east, northeast, northwest and west coasts of the state,” he said.

“In the southeast, quite a few are on the South Arm peninsula that are not only beachside suburbs, but the realm of most Hobart based surfers. Other beaches in the area are under local government control and remain open.”

Mr Peter Whish-Wilson has also asked for an urgent meeting with Mr Gutwein after receiving significant community feedback on the issue.

He sent his letter on Sunday night before the federal and state government official decisions to allow exercise outside the home, preferably in local areas.

In this letter, Senator Whish-Wilson said Tasmania was the only state to enforce a shutdown of Tasmania’s national parks and reserves during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“While I accept the intent and broad strategy you have implemented to keep all Tasmanian’s as safe as possible, I would ask that you keep an open mind and review the forced closure of many of our special places,” he said.

“I have been inundated by constituents who are devastated by such moves, and I don’t want to see such community anger and frustration undermine important efforts to keep communities safe and well.

“Many Tasmanian communities directly live around the over 800 reserves and beaches that are now closed, as well as around national parks.

“In such difficult and troubled times when many thousands have lost their jobs and are filled with anxiety and uncertainty about their future, safely accessing some of these places is more critical than ever if we are going to help Tasmanian’s stay resilient and optimistic through the difficult days ahead.”

“I understand and support for obvious reasons restricting access to some areas with car parks, campgrounds and isolated walks but I urge you to reconsider conditions under which a local community are able to safely access their local beaches, reserves and parks.”