The Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management has prepared a draft plan of management for the park, known collectively as Stockton Beach.
A full copy of the draft plan can be downloaded here.
Worimi Conservation Lands has also released a short video, which can be seen below.
Outlining thoughts, plans and proposed actions for the management of the area’s use for the gamut of users of the area, the draft has been waited on since the Park’s temporarly closure in after heavy storm activity in June 2012. The plan is a draft, and is open to comment until the 17th of Februarly 2014. Details on how to comment on the draft can be found in the document.
Let me cut to the chase. Amidst rising number of recreational users in the park, the WCL (Worimi Conservation Lands) Board of Management wants to curtail the impacts of the usage, without banning it completely. Some areas of the beach will be off-limits to 4X4ers, whilst an RVA (Recreational Vehicle Area) will be set aside to cater to those who want to drive in and explore behind the frontal dunes. This area is 350 hectares in size, and extends from Lavis Lane down towards Fern Bay.
The RVA will work with a new 4WD access point at Fern Bay, which will complement the existing Lavis Lane and Birubi Point access points.
The plan outlines the impact that the careless minority has on the area when camping: leaving rubbish and sewerage in camping areas, chopping down trees and not respecting important historical and cultural sites within the beach is ruining the reputation of a largely responsible and sensible 4X4 community.
Camping on the beach won’t be banned in the proposal, but rather limited to established areas set up to limit the impact of camping. There is a proposed total of up to 30 campsites, which will herald a huge drop in accessibility to the area, considering how popular it can be come weekends (let alone public holidays).
What do you think about the plan? Are you going to make a comment to the planner? Head over to our Facebook page and let us know what you think. Also, don’t forget that this is a plan, and is open to comment from the community.
