Beach access by vehicles should be restricted at one popular Beachport location according to some members of Wattle Range Council and the wider community.

“We should quietly close it,” said Councillor Dale Price in reference to vehicular access to a beach in the vicinity of the professional boatyard and Glen’s Point.

“It would be a road closure and not a beach closure,” said Deputy Mayor Cr Peter Dunnicliff.

The matter generated considerable debate when a letter from Beachport resident Bob Grieve was tabled at the February monthly council meeting.

According to Mr Grieve, there were speeding vehicles on the beach access track and this was dangerous to users of the beach.

“The access track along the boat yard fence should be closed to all vehicles,” Mr Grieve said.

“The track has become heavily degraded with a number of vehicles getting bogged.

“They cause excessive sand drift through the fence into the boat yard.

“I have witnessed much vehicle congestion at the professional slipway.

“Vehicle drivers realise that once they are at this point, there is nowhere to go except along the small stretch of beach and return.”

Cr Richard Cassidy said the community was concerned with the difficulties posed by speeding vehicles.

Cr Dunnicliff said he would go along with the wishes of the community.

“There has always been a road and it is not a good mix of pedestrians and vehicles,” he said.

Engineering services director Peter Halton said there were occasionally problems with parked vehicles restricting the operation of the professional slipway.

Cr Price queried whether there could be pedestrian access to the professional boatyard but Mr Halton said this would create occupational health, safety and welfare issues.

Mr Halton said there would be a substantial cost to widen the access track to the beach as well as the build-up of sand.

Cr David Walshaw referred to a recent incident when two pedestrians were injured at Moana, south of Adelaide, which allows vehicles on its beach.

Cr Walshaw said he would like to see access restricted to pedestrians at the Beachport beach in question.

According to Cr Walshaw, Victorian motorists were disobeying the road laws in that area.

The council unanimously supported a motion from Cr Deb Agnew that public consultation be undertaken on the proposal to restrict vehicle access to that beach in the interests of public safety.

At the conclusion of the public consultation, staff are to bring a report back to council.