Reckless act at popular Aussie beach prompts serious threat: 'Last thing we want'
Visitors fear that a full ban of 4WD access to the hugely popular beach is now on the cards.
A driver's reckless move at a popular Aussie beach has prompted a stern threat from the council's mayor. Four-wheel-drive access to the beach could be shut down forever after a driver was caught allegedly speeding down an empty stretch of Goolwa Beach before losing control and rolling over on Thursday.
Every year, visitors from across the country descend onto Goolwa Beach, an hour's drive from Adelaide, to soak up the sun and enjoy the beach. But irresponsible revellers — including those without 4WD capabilities — put beachgoers at risk, damage delicate dunes and leave behind piles of rubbish prompting calls for major change.
The shocking scene comes just days after the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, South Australian Police and Alexandrina Council told Yahoo News Australia that bad behaviour would be penalised.
Alexandrina Council said earlier this week that "changes need to be made" to access the beach — with some residents calling for a permit system for better control of crowds.
Now, Mayor Keith Parks has hit out at revellers. "These are the things that will see beaches close to vehicles at all times, and that's the last thing on earth that we want," he said.
According to 9News, the incident was reported to police who said the driver, a 26-year-old Victorian man, will be fined for failing to have proper control of his vehicle. Drivers ignoring road rules by speeding face hefty $5,000 fines as well as risk losing demerit points.
Residents call for permit system to control 4WD beach crowds
Local resident Lindy Downing visits the beach daily to collect rubbish left by revellers with her dog Tilly. She told Yahoo News Australia she avoids her favourite beach during the summer holidays due to the crowds and danger posed by 4WDs. She believes that controlling the beach is "hard".
"Eventually they’ll probably close it," she said. "They’ve got to limit the number of vehicles."
Lindy, who collects rubbish from the beach and reports incidents to authorities, fears for the environment and believes some kind of licence or permit system is required. "[Drivers] need to register, and that might make people think twice about what they do," she said.
Last year, the transport department limited the speed limit to 40kph across South Australian beaches following bad behaviour in 2023. But Downing, who fears for her safety, says it's often not adhered to.
"Vehicles are only meant to do 40kph, but they don’t. It’s actually really annoying," she said. "I’ll be down on my hands and knees [picking up rubbish], and you just don’t hear them whooshing past. It’s just so dangerous.
Following the busy period, Lindy adds: "I’ll be picking up rubbish or ages."
Regarding the litter, a SA Water spokesperson told Yahoo: "We encourage people visiting the beach to take their rubbish with them when they leave, to keep the area clean and enjoyable for everyone."
Camping banned at South Australian beaches from 2025
Fellow residents fear that Goolwa Beach will end up closed or a "very expensive permit" will be required to access it in a vehicle following the Boxing Day incident.
Earlier this month, it was announced that camping will be banned at a popular holiday destination along in the new year, with authorities looking to "protect the sensitive environment" by "stopping mass congregation of vehicles" on the sand.
From February 3, 2025, overnight camping will not be permitted on Wauraltee Beach, including the area known as Second Beach, on the York Peninsula in South Australia.
The Department for Environment said the increased popularity of off-road 4WD vehicles has seen more of them being driven on SA's beaches in recent years, creating problems for local ecosystems. Social media sharing of "secret spots", it added, has also resulted in "many places becoming so popular that the environment cannot sustain the level of use".
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