DOUGLAS SHIRE COUNCIL / Wonga Beach Management Plan

DOUGLAS SHIRE COUNCIL

Applications for permits for vehicles on the beach are now available, and a community meeting is scheduled for next week.

Vehicles on Beaches Permit

Douglas Shire Council adopted the Interim Wonga Beach Foreshore Management Plan at its Ordinary Meeting held in October 2020.

The plan includes provision for Wonga Beach residents to apply for a permit to drive their quad bike and / or side by side vehicle on sections of Wonga Beach.

Residents should apply for a permit as soon as possible. Fines will apply from 1 July 2021 to anyone driving on a beach without a permit, or in a vehicle which has not been registered with Douglas Shire Council.

The conditions for using recreational vehicles on Wonga Breach are set out in the Application form which is available for viewing and /or downloaded from Council’s website (and in the link provided below).

Community Group

The Foreshore Plan also includes provision for the formation of a Community Group to assist with the management of any issues arising from the use of vehicles on the beach.

A draft terms of reference for the group may be downloaded from Council’s website on the Foreshore Management plan/ Wonga Beach webpage (and is also provided below).

Those interested in joining the community group are invited to attend a meeting scheduled for Wednesday February 17, 5.30pm at Wonga Beach State School.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Gaye Scott, gaye.scott@douglas.qld.gov.au to receive a copy of the agenda and directions to meeting room at the School. Gaye can also be contacted on 40 99 9414 or 0418 793 009.

On The Agenda

Location: Wonga Beach State School – Resource Block
Date: Wednesday 17 February 2021
Time: Registration of attendees – from 5:15 pm
Meeting: 5:30 to 6:30 pm

Agenda
▪ Welcome
▪ Introductions
▪ Purpose of Meeting
▪ Membership of Community Group
▪ Role of Community Group members
▪ Operation of Community Group
▪ Nominations for membership
▪ Timeline – notification of members & date of first meeting

Important Notes:

You don’t need to attend the meeting to nominate to be a member.
We will not be discussing driving vehicles on the beach, illegal beach clearing, dog off
leash areas or other elements of the Plan. Those who have feedback and/or questions
relating to aspects of the Interim Wonga Beach Foreshore Management Plan may send
these through to enquiries@douglas.qld.gov.au. Alternatively, they may contact Gaye
Scott, Council’s liaison officer, on 0418 793 009.

Council will be conducting a formal review of the Interim Wonga Beach Foreshore
Management Plan in 12 months’ time. This will allow time for residents to assess whether
or not the ATV permit system is working and the effectiveness of the community
group.

Following the meeting, nominations will be invited from residents to be on the Community Group, and a date for the first meeting set.

Further Information

Further details of the Interim Wonga Beach Foreshore Management Plan can be obtained by vistiing https://douglas.qld.gov.au/vehicles-on-beaches-general-policy/