Recfishwest Policy
Vehicular Beach Access

Preamble

Recfishwest has consistently, in many forums, advocated for continued or improved fishing access to coastal and marine areas and has developed a number of relevant policies including:

Coastal Development Policy; Policy on Access through Pastoral Areas; Policy on Marine Reservation and No-take Zones. These policies outline broad principles for access as moderated by the key subject in question. However, they do not address specifically, issues associated with beach vehicular access; the subject of this policy.

Recfishwest views with alarm the increasing tendency for local and State government authorities, as well as for some private landholders to, mostly without consultation, seek to close both access to the beaches for vehicles, as well as prohibiting beach driving, in areas where there has previously been longstanding access for 4WD and other vehicular beach driving activity.

This longstanding access has, in Recfishwest's view, translated into the nature of a 'right' of continuing access.

In recent times the activities of those seeking to reduce or prevent vehicular based recreational fishing access to coastal, estuarine or river locations have become more commonplace, and their campaigns are becoming more aggressive. While some access restrictions may be warranted, often they are based upon frivolous or unrelated reasons and must be challenged. Some of the restrictions do not have a legislative foundation.

Onus on proponents to justify changes to existing access

Recfishwest recognises that occasionally there may be justification for curtailment of vehicular access to and along beaches (ie a diminishing of rights), on a 'case by case' basis. It is, however, Recfishwest's strong view that the onus for explaining such action lies with the proponent for the changes, and that any such change must be undertaken in accordance with normal community consultation principles.

In general, Recfishwest will oppose attempts at closure of access unless significant over-riding concerns apply. Such concerns might include issues of public safety, environmental degradation, or increasing pressure from competing uses.

Again, however, the onus is on those proposing change to: firstly, demonstrate that the concerns are valid, and secondly, demonstrate that no alternative remedies are available.

Codes of Conduct

Recfishwest supports the development of proper and enforceable codes of conduct, through consultation, supplemented by some voluntary requirements.

These codes could take the form of a generic code (similar to the road code) which would be enforceable under State law, and supplementary 'local' codes, adapted for specific situations, which would be enforceable under local Government regulation, and voluntary codes focussing on responsible enjoyment.

Such codes would address, but not be limited to:

General and local speed limits
Spatial separation between 4WDs and sedentary users
Speed limits when within 50 meters of sedentary users
Camping, fires, pets, and rubbish disposal requirements
Environmental constraints
Tyre pressures
Requirements for vehicles to be licensed and roadworthy
Carriage of spare and recovery equipment

Policy

Recfishwest strongly advocates continued and enhanced vehicular access to and along beaches on behalf of the fishing community, and consequently will oppose arbitrary and unsubstantiated cases for the curtailment of fair continuing access.



This page last updated on 30 December 2003.