Turtles and their hatchlings will face one less risk during the next nesting season.
Moore Park Beach will be closed to all vehicles between November 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024.
It follows a strong community push, with the majority of respondents to a council survey wanting the rules to be introduced.
“It’ll improve the chances of survival for the hatchlings plus it will allow the nesting turtles to be able to nest in peace without vehicles interrupting their nesting cycle and also making it safer for the turtle monitoring groups,” says Councillor Jason Bartels.
Next season will be used as a trial period for the closure.
Cr Bartels says it will be voluntary because council’s not currently in a position to amend local laws.
“Most people are compliant and will do the right thing,” he says.
“If we find that no one is taking notice of the rules or the soft closure we will apply to the State Government to make it an enforceable hard closure during turtle seasons which means we will have to put in boom gates.”
“If they’re doing something reckless it’ll be reported to the police, but if they’re just on the beach for recreation reasons and they weren’t aware of the soft closure it will be more of an education program to make them aware of the safety concerns of turtle monitoring groups and also of the turtles on the beach during that period.”
