A 900m-section of North Shields beach has been closed to vehicles due to community safety concerns.
Council has heard multiple concerns from beachgoers in recent years regarding vehicles being in the close proximity of families near the jetty section of the beach.
The decision to close the section comes after years of Council trying to establish a formalised vehicle access point further up from the ‘no vehicles’ zone.
Council pursued a Development Application (DA) to create alternate vehicle access after the 900 metres of beach earmarked to be a ‘no vehicle’ zone about two years ago, but after significant investment on environmental reports Council has not been able to gain approval from the Coast Protection Board.
Council has resolved it cannot wait further for the DA to be resolved and has implemented the ‘no vehicle’ zone.
Council believes the 900-metre length of beach is the only beach that is excluded from vehicles within its district and that it is reasonable to have at least one small section of beach set aside for the enjoyment of the public away from traffic.
