BLACKSMITHS BEACH PERMIT SYSTEM

By Unsealed 4X4 3 Min Read

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The Belmont Wetlands State Park have decided to implement a Blacksmiths Beach permit system which will go into affect on 29th November 2015. In order to see if we could get some details on the proposed system, we spoke to Greg Wright from the BWSP Trust, who are in charge of introducing the permits, to get the right info.

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Unsealed 4×4So what’s the reason for implementing the permit system?

GW: “The Blacksmiths Beach permit system has been part of the overall management strategy since we implemented back in 2010. The media are reporting that it’s mainly to do with hoons on the beach, but that’s only part of the reason. It’s also been down to the fact that there are a fair few management groups on that section of the coast (Nine Mile Beach to Red Head) and it’s taken some time to get an agreement between the various interested parties.”

Unsealed 4×4How much are the permits going to be?

GW:  “They’re currently priced at $33 for a weekend permit, $44 for a monthly permit and $88 for a yearly pass – although anyone who buys a pass this year will get access up to January 2017.”

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Unsealed 4×4We first heard about this back in January of this year, when it was proposed the yearly pass would be $55, why the price hike?

GW: “As with many things of this nature, the extra costs incurred have been due to establishing proper support for the area. We have a ranger who will be on full-time to oversee the day-to-day running of the beach and surrounding areas. The money will go through the trust who will look after paying the ranger and associated costs with keeping the area open to four wheel drivers.”

Unsealed 4×4Where can our readers get the permits from?

GW: “At this point in time, they’re only available from  the service station at Red Head or the Bait and Tackle store in Belmont North, although we expect that more places will become available soon – keep an eye on our website for details.”

Unsealed 4×4Is there any further regulations or restrictions on the horizon?

GW: “Things will be continuing as is for the foreseeable future. The big change is that the beach will now only be open to 4X4s that are registered. Motorbikes, quad-bikes and sand buggies will not be allowed onto the beach. Other than that it’s essentially just common sense things. No dumping of rubbish, no accessing the beach other than at the marked entrances (one north, one south) and no illegal behaviour. There will be fines in place for doing the wrong thing and permits can be rescinded at the ranger’s discretion.


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