Restricting the number of people who can access Nine Mile Beach at any one time will be an option considered by the management of the Belmont Wetlands State Park in response to the large numbers of campers and four-wheel drive enthusiasts flocking to the park on public holidays.
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“National parks do this. Car parks do this to tell everyone they’re full,” chairman of the Belmont Wetlands State Park board Paul Andersen said.
He has flagged the board, composed of volunteers, will be reviewing its management procedures on national holidays.
He estimated visitor numbers over the Australia Day weekend were in the “low thousands”.
“Anecdotally, last Christmas, Australia Day, the October long weekend, we can see there is a trend of greater intensity of use,” Mr Andersen said.
A video circulated on social media, captured from a helicopter, showed hundreds of four-wheel drives lining the shore of the crown land reserve on January 26.
Mr Andersen said reports from board members at the beach suggested conduct of “most people on the beach was very good”.
“The volunteer effort meant the cleanliness of the park was maintained.”
Despite this, Mr Andersen said he personally held concerns about the crowds of people accessing the park.
The number of staff the board employs has tripled from two to six over the past twelve months to keep up with demand. All staff have the power to issue fines to park users.
“We don’t want people to love the park to death,” he said.
“Whilst I’m not speaking on behalf of other board members, a paramount concern for the board is to conserve the natural environment of the park but also to ensure the safety and welfare of those that use the park.”
Mr Andersen said the board had received government funds to commission two technical studies, one into the park’s recreational use and one on coastal management.
He said these studies, plus visitation statistics and the current management plan, would be used to inform a strategy for next summer’s popular weekends.
“The management of these big days cost the land manager a significant amount of money and we have to look at how we can pay for that,” Mr Andersen said.
Preparations for Australia Day included the provision of bins and toilets, and rostering on extra rangers to patrol the area.
“If we need new infrastructure we are sure the government will look favorably upon our applications once the technical studies are completed.”
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