New passive recreational zone on Noosa’s North Shore beach

Residents and visitors will soon be able to enjoy a new passive recreational zone on Noosa’s North Shore along a car free stretch of beach from Monday 11 October.

Division 12 Councillor and chair of the Noosa North Shore Working Group, Lew Brennan said the closure of this 2.6 kilometre stretch of beach between the first and third cuttings was consistent with council’s promise to ensure the well-being of residents and visitors through community safety and regulatory programs.

“With all vehicles being re-routed to the all weather Wilderness Track, Noosa North Shore beach will provide a balance between the practicality, comfort and convenience of driving on beaches with the need for passive recreation and ecological protection of beaches and their wildlife," Cr Lew Brennan said.

“It meets council’s promise to the community to ensure the well-being of residents and visitors through community safety and regulatory programs," he said.

“Council has taken a proactive approach towards the protection of our natural environment as the closure provides ecological sustainability and helps preserve our natural environment for the future."

“In addition, I believe, it complements the existing closure of the beach at the Noosa River mouth that was done to protect migratory birds.”

Project manager, Paul Coffey said that vehicles will now use the Wilderness Track instead of the beach between the two cuttings – that is, except for emergency vehicles - and our community and visitors alike can use this expanse of beach without any concern of vehicular traffic.

“Signage will clearly direct drivers where they can and can’t drive, and flyers and maps identifying the changes will be distributed form various outlets prior to the closure,” Paul Coffey said.

The decision supports a recommendation contained in the Noosa North Shore Management Plan, which was developed over the past decade by the former council, the Noosa North Shore Working Group and the local community.

The closure of the North Shore Beach to vehicles is implemented by Council under Section 69 of the Local Government Act 2009.