Significantly lower speed limits may be enforced along local coastlines as part of a State Government review to improve beach safety.

Community members were invited to provide feedback on four default beach speed limit options.

Currently, beaches in South Australia are considered ‘road related areas’ under the Road Traffic Act 1961 and the Australian Road Rules, meaning where there is no signed speed limit, the default 100kmh applies.

One option was to retain the 100kmh speed limit, however other recommendations pushed for reductions to 25kmh or 40kmh, while a third option was for a default beach speed limit of 40kmh, reduced to 25kmh when passing or within 100 metres of a pedestrian.

According to a report by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), between 2017-2021 there were 29 reported crashes on beaches resulting in the loss of one life, 15 serious injuries and 13 minor injuries.

Speed was reported as a contributing factor in approximately 50% of the crashes.

The matter was discussed at Grant District Council’s March monthly meeting last week, with elected members given the opportunity to discuss the matter to provide feedback to DIT.

The matter of speed limits on beaches is not new to council, with a report compiled by Growth and Tourism manager Rebecca Perkin stating concerns had been raised by residents in 2009 and again in 2016.

In her report, Ms Perkin said in 2009 council considered requests received from residents concerned about the speed of vehicles on the beaches at Carpenter Rocks and Pelican Point.

“At the time the Works Committee recommended the Works Manager liaise with the Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure regarding the installation of 20kmh speed signs on all council beaches,” she said.

“Later, in mid-2009, after receiving information from the Works Manager, council resolved not to proceed with the installation of speed limits on beaches due to the high cost of signage and the inability to actively police the limits.”

Recognising there may be a range of views within the community – and in keeping with the Council’s Strategic Management Plan – the Administration sought to collect input from community members and beach users across the district to inform Council’s response to the current DIT survey.

“It was anticipated there may be a range of opinions from stakeholders who place great importance on vehicle access to beaches for recreational uses such as boating and fishing, surfing, and four-wheel driving,” Ms Perkin said.

“There may also be others who may be keen to leverage this as an opportunity to seek changes that help protect habitat for flora and fauna, including shorebird nesting areas.

“Features such as the spectacular coastline and the natural and built heritage, including Canunda National Park and Lake Bonney, make the area a popular and growing tourist destination and a recreational playground for local, national and international visitors.

“Recreational four-wheel-driving, surfing, boating and fishing are all popular pursuits in, along and over beaches in the district.

“The tourism benefits to the local economy of allowing driving on beaches must be balanced with public safety and environmental considerations.”

The council report and supporting attachments including community responses will be submitted to the DIT with support for option three. It was also recommended DIT woold be responsible for implementing signage.

Ms Perkin said the council survey was a close result with most in favour of 25kmh default speed limit.

In total 36 survey responses were submitted. Despite this, council will submit in support for the variable speed limit.

“It was a close result between 25kmh as a maximum and the variable speed limit, with one or two votes difference,” she said.

Ms Perkin said there were a number of factors taken into consideration when making the recommendation, including drivers suggesting 25kmh is too slow and may increase the rate of vehicle becoming bogged.

Other factors taken into consideration included variable speed and four-wheel-driving practicalities, pedestrian and child safety, and protecting flora and fauna.

Community feedback predominantly related to Brown Bay, Canunda, Carpenter Rocks and Port MacDonnell nearby Woolwash Beach and Eight Mile Creek Beach.

“Several respondents indicated their comments applied to all beaches across the Limestone Coast,” Ms Perkin said.

“Council received responses that indicate concerns that vehicles on some beaches are causing irreparable damage to the native flora and fauna in particular the native shorebirds which nest in some areas.

“Community Responses to Council’s Survey included any driving on beaches should be banned, the need for guidelines on where to drive, restrictions and driving on designated tracks.

“The lower speed limit should not only apply to presence of people, but also to signed areas where shorebirds are nesting.

“It is clear that a lowered default speed limit is only part of a broader conversation, and to effectively balance the needs of all beach users and requires an individual approach that considers the unique characteristics of each locality.”