Preston Beach could potentially become first driving beach in WA to require payment for 4WDs

One of the South West’s most popular beaches could become the first in the State that requires payment for four-wheel-drive owners wanting to enjoy a drive along the sand.

The Shire of Waroona is attempting to solve overcrowding as the community is inundated with day trippers and campers adding pressure to the regional hamlet.

At the most recent council meeting on February 27, the shire began investigating a new beach management strategy which could involve adding cameras to the beach, implementing more traffic management solutions and adding a paid permit system for visitors with 4WDs who want to drive on the beach.

According to council documents, the number of visitors to Preston Beach is significantly impacting the facilities and environment of the area.

Bins are often overflowing, the beach can become dangerously overcrowded and visitors enter the environmentally protected sand dunes for their ablutions because the current toilet block is regularly blocked.

Waroona shire president Mike Walmsley said it was crucial to implement a monitoring system to the beach so it can continue to be enjoyed in the future.

“It’s a privilege to drive on the beach,” he said.

“And we don’t want to lose that privilege, so we have to get better at what we are doing out there.”

Cr Walmsley said the bottom line was the Waroona ratepayers are the ones paying for maintenance and upkeep of the facilities at the beach and he would like to see beach visitors share the load.

This would be the first time a shire has attempted to charge for access to a portion of coastline and would only be feasible if the City of Mandurah and Shire of Harvey were willing to co-operate with the plans.

Currently, beachgoers can drive from Tim’s Thicket in Mandurah’s south 60km through the Shire of Waroona and Shire of Harvey to reach Buffalo Beach on the southern tip of the Harvey Shire.

To stop people avoiding the tolls, this route would have to be severed to implement any restrictions.

City of Mandurah mayor Rhys Williams said the city had been working with the Department of Biodiversity, Conversation and Attractions and the Shire of Waroona to look at the future management of regional beaches.

“There has been considerable increase in 4x4 activity on the beach in recent times,” he said.

“Our view is that our beaches should remain free and accessible for people who are doing the right thing.

“Access to these beaches is, for many people living in or visiting Mandurah, an important part of the lifestyle here.”

Mr Williams said he recognised the importance of appropriate management at these southern beaches, keeping them safe and accessible for everyone whilst maintaining their environmental integrity.

“We’ll keep working with stakeholders on planning for necessary upgrades to infrastructure and management practices to achieve this,” he said.

Shire of Harvey president Michelle Campbell and Harvey chief executive Annie Riordan have discussed potential changes in access at Preston Beach with Cr Walmsley and Waroona boss Mark Goodlet, however, the Harvey shire does not currently have a position on the proposal.