Mayor slams four-wheel-drive hoons on Point Moore dunes
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn has slammed 4WD users who continue to drive through the dunes of Point Moore beach, saying the rule breakers risk ruining the popular spot for everyone else.
The comments come as the City mulls over a decision on whether to ban vehicles from driving on the eroded beachfront after a public consultation period in September received more than 700 responses.
A motion that proposed completely banning vehicles from Point Moore beach was voted down 11-1 by the council in August.
But councillors are expected to look at a potential ban later this month, whether that includes the entire beach or merely a small section.
Mr Van Styn said irresponsible drivers weren’t helping the cause of 4WD enthusiasts who want to continue using the beach.
He said the City was receiving weekly reports of cars driving through the dunes, with a number of vehicles getting bogged.
“It’s madness — stay out of the dunes,” he told the Guardian.
“Stick to the beaches and don’t ruin it for everyone.
“If you continue to destroy the vegetated dunes, you are going to destroy 4WD driving down there.
“It has to stop.”
Feedback from Geraldton residents during the consultation period showed support for the protection and rehabilitation of the sand dunes which have been battered by storms.
Mr Van Styn said there was growing momentum around banning vehicles from Point Moore.
“There are very vigilant anti-4WD people working on this,” he said.
“People are driving irresponsibly — whether that’s hooning around at high speeds or scaring horses.”
The matter was supposed to be voted on at October’s ordinary council meeting, but councillors asked for more time to consider the City’s recommendation, which included the closure of one of three vehicle access ways on to the beach.
Mr Van Styn was unsure which way the council would vote.
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