Victims of driving cars on beaches — debate, 2013.01.23

Kangaroo Island, 2013.01.10

As KI ratepayers, we would like to raise our concern regarding vehicle access on Emu Bay beach. Our concern regards the discovery of a dead Hooded Plover this week (a fledgling) in a car wheel rut, which was noticed, due to its parent bird in a stressed condition.

More vehicles are accessing this beach, due to increased tourism this summer. Surely common sense tells us these hooded plovers are threatened. Their survival on KI, where current numbers are approximately 200, needs to be seriously addressed. There is no Hooded Plover sign as one approaches the beach. But aside from this point nobody takes notice of the council signs at the beginning of this beach anyway! (ie. camping, speed and dogs on leash – our family friend was nipped on the back of her heel the other day by an unleashed dog, and another dog urinated on our beach shelter).

It appears the KI Council has always put this issue into the too-hard basket, “don’t  want to upset the locals”, “Emu Bay has always been the sacrificial car access beach”. As a Council in 2013 maybe they could show some true leadership – as SA continues to promote KI as a nature island- and stop the vehicles accessing our beaches. Tourists we have spoken to from the Eastern states are horrified and stressed as they try to enjoy the beach but are constantly aware of the dangers of cars driving up and down the beach. This is not allowed in their states anymore. Walking or cycling along the beach is great fun and good healthy exercise. Let’s continue to promote KI as an environmental island for all the good reasons.

By Brian Vanner and Kris Hondow, D’Estrees Bay

 

Kangaroo Island, 2013.01.23

It was so disappointing and puzzling to read the two responses to the issue of Hooded Plover deaths and cars on beaches. (The Islander, 17th January). Their arguments seem to be a) if you don’t like cars on beaches, don’t go to beaches, b) people have been driving on Emu Bay for a hundred years and should therefore continue doing so and c) the death of a bird is of no importance compared with the human desire to drive on the beach.

Apart from rangers and other authorized people who need to drive on beaches for conservation, safety and maintenance, I can’t see any reason for it. Roads are for driving on, beaches are for walking, swimming or lying about. Despite growing evidence – decades of evidence – of the damage they cause to the environment and to wildlife there are still people who seem to regard it as an inalienable “right” to use the beach as a highway. But the argument that “people have driven on the beach for a hundred years” is not a defence or a reason to continue a destructive practice. “If you don’t like it, stay away” is tantamount to saying “the beach is mine,” which of course is ridiculous.

Sadly, the third argument – “it’s only a bird” – is an entrenched attitude that’s out of touch with current environmental understanding. A creature doesn’t have to have an economic value to be “worth a place.” Just by its very existence it makes a statement of being that is priceless. A squashed creature is simply a distressing testament to our lack of caring.

Please reconsider. Leave your cars in the car park and enjoy the pleasure of the beach on the legs you were born with.

Les Montanjees

Published in The Islander 2013.01.23

9 thoughts on “Victims of driving cars on beaches — debate, 2013.01.23

  1. I can not remember the last time I drove on a beach, however, I respect the right of those that do on the couple of beaches that this is allowed. I am also a birder and regret the loss of the bird as much as I regret the hundreds that are killed on KI roads each year. Regrettably I have accidently contributed to the total. Are we to ban driving on all our roads?

  2. Hi all,
    One of the most amazing memories I had as a child of KI when I moved to to another beach location, was that KI had an awesome beach that the family could drive the car onto and have a family day, out of the sun if needed, protected from sand if needed. The other famous beach for that is Daytona in USA. The difference now seems not to be that we should not be on the beach or that there are too many vehicles compared to years ago, but that attitudes and respect, and basic appreciation has been clouded. So are we at risk to lose one of the great things about KI, and precious memories, or should we look at educating. We are going to slowly lose everything we live on KI for, and what visitors visit for. I love birds and animals which is why we live here, at American River with the glossy’s and the many plovers, but where does that conversation end, stop cars on roads cause too many Kangaroo’s are being hit. Or do we educate, starting with locals, within the school system as local environment education, more signage, severe fine, maybe people have to access a beach pass from council then huge fine if caught without. There are answers without stripping this away. What about the traditional new years eve on the beach, will we lose that as well?? Emu Bay is what it is and if we do not consider tradition, but be smart about it, then what do we really risk. losing.

    • Lisa, I agree with you, I feel so passionate about being able to continue to enjoy full access to Emu Bay beach. Like you, I have memories of times from a very young child enjoying this beach with grandparents, relatives and friends. I appreciate your thoughts.
      I do think passes and huge fines though may take away the free spirit of beach usage and living in a country like Australia. Where would a visitor obtain a pass when arriving on a long weekend?

  3. This is difficult subject. While I do not have a car and while I do not see any need to drive to a spot to sit on the beach, I realise there are those who are passionate regarding their right to do so. Furthermore, if people are to launch water-craft from beaches, there is a case to be made to allow beach access. While the argument that cars are for roads is a sound one, it can also be correctly stated that certain beaches are regarded, by various levels of government, as roads.
    I think the issues surrounding Emu Bay are complex. In a sense it has been regarded as a ‘sacrifice’ zone, where activities that are banned elsewhere on KI are allowed. Car access, along with horse and dog by-laws, are two areas where this is apparent. I know there have been various suggestions to restrict car access to the western two-thirds of the beach, with the safety of cars accessing the east of the bay being as much of an issue as environmental effects.
    I think it is also true to state that while it is regrettable that these rare birds have been killed by cars in this instance, research shows that dog and horse access, the effects of gull attraction to fish offal left by fishermen as well as that of people staying on the beach for long periods near eggs and chicks are responsible for many of unsuccessful nesting attempts.
    Ultimately, I think the need to protect rare wildlife has to be balanced against the need to provide a large section of the community with a facility they currently demand. While I would like to think that education around the impacts this can have may cause a community re-think on the need to drive along beaches in the medium term, I don’t think that there would be any political appetite for an outright ban this activity currently.

  4. I have lived on Kangaroo Island on and off since a small child, and am an avid bird lover. Five generations of my family have loved and cherished the beauty and serenity of Emu Bay.

    I have fond memories of being a small child going on picnics with my grandparents, relatives and friends, we would drive more than half way up Emu Bay beach to our favourite quiet spot, go for a swim and eat our tea on the beach. In contrast, I remember going to one of the Adelaide beaches as a 10 year old and being taken aback at trying to find a space on a very crowded beach amongst a sea of human bodies. Please do not take away our access to Emu Bay Beach.

    I am saddened to hear a dead Hooded Plover was found on the beach. It is also true that where the vehicles drive is the area where the tide comes in and out. Closing off the far end of the beach from cars wont necessarily help as I have seen Hooded plovers this summer above high tide mark against the sand dune in front of the beach shacks in the first section of beach.

    If we said No Cars On The Beach, I can imagine most people would crowd the first two hundred metres of beach (can you imagine – we dont want to feel we are at the Gold Coast) – how many families (especially with young children) would walk 1-2kms up the beach carrying a kayak, surf boards, beach towels, beach umbrella, beach chairs, picnic basket, spare change of clothes etc?

    Please do not take away our enjoyment of this very special beach. Maybe people who are more recent residents to KI will not understand the feelings of those of us whose families have been here for generations and the deep feelings we have about our very special Emu Bay beach.

    It is very sad that these little shore birds don’t seem to have safe nesting areas, so different to the woodland birds which are extremely careful to choose safe hidden nesting spots up and away from predators and ground traffic.

    I think try to find a balance – education about the Hooded Plovers, responsible behaviour on the beach, dogs under control. Birds Australia has started education programs in other states with primary school children with good results. Maybe there are volunteers who live close to Emu Bay who may wish to be involved with providing shelters for nests and chicks, as this has proven to increase the safety of raising chicks.

  5. I so agree with Liz Shepherd, and Lisa
    I do think signs at various spots reminding people to drive slowly and to watch for the birds might be helpful, as well as other educational strategies, such as posts on facebook, flyers, and other reminders.
    The social, historical and precious use of this beach should be kept, allowing people to relax, swim, fish, picnic etc..

  6. So how do I get disabled kid down on the beach at emu bay so he to can enjoy the beach like all the other kids..

    Your a very selfish person/persons that live life with your blinkers on.

    • There are many beaches on Kangaroo Island that you can easily get TO with your car or your motorbike. Driving ON the beach is a different matter.

      Would you demand the privilege to drive INSIDE a beautiful, ancient cathedral ? Desecrating it, polluting it, destroying it, plaguing the worshippers and putting them at risk ?

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