Drivers warned of common mistake 'destroying' popular 4WD beach
Hundreds of vehicles can be seen travelling across the Queensland sand at any one time. But many continue to break the simple rule.
As the weather warms, more and more Aussies might consider visiting one of the country's many beaches. But for those hitting up the 4WD tracks on Queensland's iconic Bribie Island, there's a common mistake that must be avoided.
At this time of year, the desired spot, located 68 kilometres north of Brisbane, is often populated by vehicles travelling up and down the sand in droves. But there's a certain driving habit frequently witnessed across the island that can have a devastating impact on the area.
When speaking with Yahoo News Australia this week, Darren Jew from the environmental protection group BIEPA revealed that driving on the dunes is a no-no, so too is travelling as the sun begins to set. Photos shared with Yahoo show a line of vehicles wrongly making their way across the sand on Bribie Island as the shoreline nudges closer to them. It's at this time, during high tide, when the most damage is done, he said.
Driving on dunes a 'big problem' on 4WD beach
Not only does driving on the dunes "affect their structure" and "destroy" the beach over time, but it can have a significant impact on the island's turtles. From November to January each year, marine turtles can be seen frequenting our shores to lay their eggs.
"The biggest problem is at night and at high tide. People are not allowed to drive on the dunes then," Jew said. "Queensland National Parks recommend that you drive at low tide but people generally don't take much notice of the authorities."
"When people drive at high tide just before the evening time, they leave the giant ruts in the sand," he explained. "And when it comes to the hatchling emergence time, they want to run straight down to the water but they get stuck in the ruts."
Jew said the baby turtles are often found the next day "hundreds of meters away from their nest". "They're exhausted, often perished and sometimes predated by predators that have had a longer chance to get them because they haven't been able to get to the water," he said.
Another reason to avoid night driving is because turtles need dark beaches to nest successfully. Light from vehicles and torches can disturb nesting turtles, authorities warn.
When is the best time to drive on the Bribie Island beach?
While visitors are prohibited from driving at night, current legislation doesn’t allow the rule to be enforced, so not much can be done when it occurs, Jew said. To help spread the message, the team at BIEPA has created a "tide planning tool" which helps alert visitors of the best time to drive.
"It's an active way people can schedule their day knowing that they're going to be having the least amount of effect on the turtle habitat as possible," he explained.
"If they're going to drive, they need to drive this time. We'd like them to certainly think twice about driving [at the wrong times] during turtle season."
If driving on the beach is unavoidable, then be alert, slow down, stop and wait for any marine turtles crossing the beach, it's advised. Drivers are also encouraged to follow "established tracks" rather than creating new tracks of their own.
Concerns over vehicles causing harm on 4WD beach
This week, while enjoying camping on the beach at Bribie Island, a group of schoolies discovered a clutch of eggs buried in tyre tracks on the sand. The school leavers remained on watch until help arrived to relocate them to a safer spot.
But the issue goes beyond Bribie and is stressed by councils and authorities in surrounding areas. In September, Mackay Regional Council voted to close access to vehicles at Harbour Beach, a popular beach among the four-wheel drivers and motorcyclists, to help protect the area's flora and fauna.
"The impact of that damage over many years is threatening the ecological integrity of this area," Mayor Greg Williamson said. Those who break the rules will face "huge fines" of $774.
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