There will be no access to Green Point beach for two years following a decision made by Grant District Council.
Located between Brown Bay and Piccaninnie Ponds, the privately-owned beach access point had been shut by property owners, the Feast family.
The family claim they closed the entrance gate due to ongoing safety concerns and farming stock issues.
Council members received a report prepared by Environmental Services director Leith McEvoy to enable council to further consider issues and options associated with the beach access.
At a general council meeting in November council moved it will not proceed further with the development of Discovery Bay Road. As a result, there will be no access to Green Point via that road.
Council resolved it would monitor the demand for the road to be reopened and reassess the situation in two years.
Councillor Barry Kuhl moved the motion which was seconded by Cr Gill Clayfield. Mayor Richard Sage called for a division, with Crs Gavin Clarke, Megan Dukalskis, Brad Mann, Barry Kuhl and Kylie Boston voting for the motion.
Cr Peter Duncan voted against the motion. Cr Bruce Bain was absent from the meeting and Cr Shirley Little had left the meeting before the matter was discussed.
Council has been considering issues and options associated with the existing and possible alternate beach access at Green Point since the matter was raised in December last year.
Several meetings have been held over the past 12 months with relevant interested stakeholders including landowners, representatives of the local fishing community, Environment and Water Department (DEW) and council lawyers.
Following a meeting with council in August, DEW officers provided further advice which was tabled at the November general meeting.
DEW provided documents including the Green Point Access Plan and a map showing the landward extent of the Coastal Areas Overlay and Conservation Zone that applies to the land.
Members of the Fisherman’s Association and the Feast family were present at the November 1 meeting to witness proceedings into the matter.
Port MacDonnell based fisheries attended at a town meeting on November 9 where they took the opportunity to plead with council to reconsider its decision.
Council officials said they would take on board the discussion held at the town meeting.
