More than 300 fines have been issued to 4WD users on Nine Mile Beach since the introduction of a permit system on the coastal stretch two years ago.
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The Belmont Wetlands Trust employs five rangers who issue fines ranging from $75 to $225.
Offences include littering, riding motorbikes on the dunes, dangerous driving, not having a permit, disobeying signage and regulations and driving across vegetation.
“Rubbish is by far and away the biggest problem,” trust chairwoman Helen Rogers said on Monday.
“Where possible we have taken an education approach rather than fining people.”
The trust released details of its compliance program on Monday in response to a campaign led by Lake Macquarie councillor John Gilbert to protect future 4WD access to the beach
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The state’s peak 4WD association lent its weight to the campaign on Monday.
“Four wheel drive users tend to be pretty big targets for people who don’t like us but the truth is 99 percent of 4WDs on the beach would be families,” NSW and ACT 4WD Association president Craig Thomas said.
“If there are 100 vehicles on the beach, 99 per cent of them would be doing the right thing.”
Cr Gilbert launched the campaign following an inspection of the dunes by representatives of Lake Macquarie Coastal Zone Management Committee, the Belmont Wetland Trust and Hunter Water where, among other things, the possibility of future restrictions on 4WDs was discussed.
The Keep Nine Mile Beach Open Facebook group, which Cr Gilbert launched on the weekend attracted more than 1000 members within 24 hours.
The Belmont Wetlands Trust accused Cr Gilbert of misrepresenting the discussion that took place at the inspection.
“The issues discussed were wide ranging but lead to no formal conclusions,” a trust statement said.
“An educational campaign is currently underway to assist users in reducing further impacts on the fragile foredune vegetation,” the statement said.
A permit system, administered by the wetlands trust, has been in place since December 2015.
Mr Thomas said the NSW and ACT 4WD Association supported the rigorous enforcement of the permit system
“It’s certainly better than it used to be. Previously there weren’t any rules to protect anything,” he said.
“The permit system is supposed to be paying for the rangers to make sure everyone is doing the right thing. If they introduce restrictions who is going to pay for the rangers?”
Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
