There are growing concerns from community members after a number of vehicles have been spotted driving on Wonboyn Beach located within Ben Boyd National Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Members of a fishing group who call themselves the Greencape Fishos contacted the Magnet in an attempt to inform the community that driving on this beach is prohibited.
“On a recent trip to Wonboyn Beach I was disappointed to see no fewer than seven vehicles driving on this beautiful beach,” Greencape Fisho Mick Ripon said.
“We have been visiting this area for 40 years and the number of vehicles accessing this beach has been steadily increasing despite our communication with various authorities and signs being placed clearly stating that both vehicles and dogs are not permitted on this beach.”
Mr Ripon said people driving their vehicles on the beach are showing a complete disregard for the law.
“The NSW south coast has great tourism potential based upon it's natural beauty and the operators of these vehicles are vandalising this beach and diminishing this natural beauty.”
He is also concerned with people walking their dogs on the beach as dogs can destroy the nests of critically endangered hooded plovers which are known to nest on this beach.
Liz Allen, a volunteer with South Coast Shorebirds gives up hours of her time to erect signs alerting people to the presence of nesting critically endangered hooded plovers at Tura Beach.
“They are a scrape in the sand, the birds are so tiny and they blend in so well,” Ms Allen said.
“There are times when I will talk to beach looking for them and won’t be able to spot them at all until I am almost standing over them.
“To think that vehicles are driving on Wonboyn Beach, one of the nesting areas of hooded plovers, is just terrible.”
Pets and domestic animals other than certified assistance animals are not permitted on beaches that reside inside Ben Boyd National Park and vehicle access is also prohibited in this area. However, a National Parks and Wildlife spokesman said the southern part of Wonboyn Beach is not part of Ben Boyd National Park and because of this other rules apply.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife said they are aware of the problem with vehicles on Wonboyn Beach and attempting to catch the culprits. They ask that anyone who sees someone driving on the beach takes photos notes the number plates then calls 6495 5001.
