4wd fees on the Cooloola beach Qld

Hi Patrick, I don't mind paying a fee so long as the money goes back to protecting what we come to enjoy. Let's face it there have bee many go up there and destroy the sand dunes and carve there name into the formations at Red Canyon. I personally would like my kids to take there children to see it all as I have taken them. Think of the bright side, it may help keep some of the dipsticks away. Cheers

Shouldn't this be called a Toll? as I thought that unlike Fraser, Bribie and Morton that Cooloolah beach was a gazetted road, is that now how the police have been able to book people for speeding or being unregistered?

I also doubt that any of the revenue raised will go to protecting the area.
Chris

The way Queensland charges fees & puts restrictions on public land these days seems counter productive particually for a state that trades so heavily on it's tourism. All this at the same time as Victoria has just got rid of Park entry fees yet improved services.
Cheers Craig........

makes for an expensive week if you are going to Fraser Island for a week and go via the beach, permit to traverse Cooloola stretch, then barge to Fraser, then camping and vehicle permit for Fraser, then another permit to traverse Cooloola stretch for the trip home. Expensive week away thats for sure.

this is the first stage of a bigger plan, australia's getting too big and this has been due to happen for at least a year - we were expecting it last easter...

eventually one will be able to walk along on the cooloola beach's again without the fear of getting run over...imagine that...

Patrick,

It was always a forgone conclusion that the Government would introduce a charge for Cooloola Coast.
I am somewhat in favour of a beach driving fee but cannot for the life of me see why there is one for each beach/island.
I can't understand why the government doesn't put one fee, Queensland Islands, to allow yearly access to all islands. i.e. North Stradbroke, Bribie, Fraser, Moreton and Noosa North Shore. After all they are all controlled by the National Parks in some way or another.
South Australia has the Parks Permit, surely it would be better to have one permit for our beaches.

Kev

Fees are a good way of keeping people out just look at kakadu which has had a 20% drop.
Whilst people say that it is only $25 it should be noted that is per person so a care with 4 adults would be $100. a bit tough if you have a family with teenagers.

Honky

I have been going to Double Island since 1972, it is amazing how everybody says that 4WDs is the cause of the damage to the dunes. More sand can be moved in one storm overnight than a thousand cars could move, just have a look at Hook Point and Eli Creek on Fraser Island. In the '70s they used to mineral sand mine at Freshwater on the beach, you can't see where they've been now. Spin it how you like, it is just another way the Government takes more money from you. I don't mind paying the fee if it actually went back into the facilities.

They've dropped the speed limit to 50km/ph in the camping areas and idiots still speed, the same as on the roads.

As for chemical toilets, I am all in favour of this as long as their is stations where to dispose of it correctly, as now most people dig a hole and bury it in the sand or empty their chemicals and waste into the ocean. There was a station at Freshwater, but it has been closed because of split water tanks.

Also, you used to be able to drive a sedan from Rainbow Beach to Freshwater when there was no fees, you can't do that now.

It would be nice for people who make these decisions, or comment on these matters, to not bundle the large majority of people who do the right thing with the fools who continually do the wrong thing.

Here is the official press release....

Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara

Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Long-term plan to protect Cooloola Coast

A proposed management plan compiled after two years of asking the community how to protect the Cooloola Coast recommends beach speed limits, caps on holiday camper numbers and protection for rare migratory birds.
Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara today launched Strategic Directions for Cooloola, which sets out the Government's long-term vision to protect the region’s unique ecosystem while maintaining public access to one of Queensland’s most popular recreation areas.
It complements the Government’s application to have the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy Park World Heritage-listed, which will be lodged early next year.
Mr McNamara said the plan also recommended the introduction of vehicle access permits among a raft of measures to address overcrowding and safety.
"Cooloola, along with Fraser Island, present the world's oldest dune formations. They're a living snapshot of history spanning more than 700,000 years," he said.
"But increasingly it's bursting at the seams, particularly in the school holidays. This plan sets sensible limits so people can continue to enjoy themselves in safety while we protect the environment.
“It's a future that's better for people and better for the environment.”
The proposed plan will go back before Cabinet after further consultation with the Sunshine Coast and Gympie councils, public scrutiny and negotiation with landowners. That process is expected to be finalised before the end of the year.

The proposals include:

Vehicle access permits

Beach access permits for 4WDs, like those already in use at Fraser, Moreton and Bribie islands, will be introduced under the plan.
Fees are proposed to mirror those at Fraser Island; $37.10 for up to a month and $185.80 for up to a year. People who buy permits for Cooloola and Fraser Island will receive a 20% discount.
Mr McNamara said revenue would go towards maintaining the Cooloola region.
"Queensland taxpayers have recently made substantial investments in the area, including the $1.2 million upgrade of visitor facilities and the $1.3 million Cooloola Great Walk that’s under construction,” he said.
“It’s only fair that the users contribute through reasonable fees, like those charged in comparable areas around the state.”

Camping numbers

At Inskip Point, up to 3000 campers per night will be accommodated for the peak periods at Christmas and Easter, and up to 1800 per night for the majority of the year.
The 15km camping zone on Teewah Beach will be limited to 2000 visitors at Christmas and Easter, 1200 per night in the shoulder holiday season and 600 per night in the off season. Up to 3000 people camp there in peak times.
To compensate, the State Government-owned Freshwater campground will be expanded to take an extra 100 campers per night in peak times, the Sunshine Coast Regional Council camping area on Noosa North Shore is likely to be expanded significantly and new sites will be considered.
Camping fees will rise slightly to $4.85 per person per night, or $19.40 per family, the same as charged on Fraser Island. The extra revenue will help pay for better sanitation, including daily services and more latrines.

Speed limits

To protect pedestrians and campers the EPA will propose a speed limit along the 65km-long beach from Noosa to Rainbow Beach.
The EPA will ask the Department of Transport, Sunshine Coast and Gympie Regional Councils to support a proposal to impose a general speed limit of 80km/h, with 50km/h limit next to camping sections at Teewah, Freshwater and from Leisha Track to Double Island Point.
"At peak times, this stretch is as busy and dangerous as any main road in Queensland,” Mr McNamara said. “If you think 80k’s is not quick enough, then maybe you should slow down and enjoy the view. This is a wilderness beach, not the M1.”

Vehicle management

The plan also proposes vehicles be excluded from Inskip Point adjacent to the camping area, at Cooloola Beach between First and Third Cutting, and on the last small beach on the north side of Double Island Point.
“This represents only 7km in 65km of beach so there’s still ample opportunity for sand-driving,” Mr McNamara said. “It gives families the chance to camp at beaches where 4WDs won’t be constantly passing their kids,” he said.
Inskip Point is also a significant habitat for the endangered black-breasted button-quail and the vulnerable beach stone-curlew