Pictured discussing the Northern Coastline track closure project are (L-R) Tim Breuer - Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board - Team Leader Landscape Operations – East, Nick Antonio – Cultana Jenkins Shackowners Association and Samuel Bourne, Whyalla Council’s Project Manager Landscape.
Whyalla City Council has been successful in securing $10,000 of grant funding from the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board’s Grassroots Grants program for its Northern Coastline track closure project.
Samuel Bourne, Council’s Project Manager Landscape, said that the Northern Coastline track closure project has three main aims:
- To reduce damage to native vegetation through track closure and track rationalization processes.
- To improve habitat amenity and vegetation quality by reclaiming closed tracks back to intact native vegetation, and
- To collaboratively engage with Landscapes SA staff and local community groups to get the best environmental outcomes.
Working closely with the Cultana Jenkins Shackowners Association and EP Landscape Board officers, Council will work to close off illegal 4WD tracks at Douglas Point South Hill and Fitzgerald Bay.
The tracks will also be ‘ripped’ to help them recover and capture native seed, allowing them to return into intact native vegetation.
Two tracks at Douglas Point South Hill will be closed - one begins at Parakeely Retreat, leading to the summit of the hill, while the other continues from a previously blocked off extension of Quandong Drive, leading to One Shack Bay.
Vehicles will continue to be able to drive on a designated single road to the scenic lookout at the top of Douglas Point South Hill to enjoy the views on offer.
At the Fitzgerald Bay campsite, multiple access points from Gulf View Drive will be closed and rehabilitated.
These tracks were closed in 2012 to rationalize the number of vehicle trails weaving through the Northern coastal areas and hinterland, with the closed tracks either converted into walking trails or revegetated.
However, in the intervening years road closure signage has gone missing and some of these informal tracks have been re-opened by 4WD vehicles.
This has had significant impacts on the area including damaged native vegetation, ruts in the shingle dunes and ongoing erosion and amenity issues.
“It is evident that drivers are using these tracks for testing their 4WD skills, cutting into the hillside and creating erosion and safety hazards.
There are three areas where the informal track drops approximately seven metres down to the back of the frontal dune, posing a significant risk to people and vehicles” Mr Bourne said.
Mr Bourne advised that 1.5 tonne rocks will be strategically placed to block access to the illegal tracks, allowing the damaged areas to be repatriated.
The rocks will serve dual purpose as a barrier whilst offering habitat to native wildlife.