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Moore Park Beach turtle season closure

October 15, 2024 6:08 am in by
📷File photo of turtles hatching at Bokarina, supplied by Sunshine Coast Council

Vehicles will once again be restricted around Moore Park Beach this upcoming turtle season.

From November 1st until March 31st all driving will be prohibited between dusk and dawn to protect nesting reptiles as well as volunteers.

A past survey found 76% of residents in the area were in favour of a night-time closure and last season’s first trial had positive results.

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“During the trial we set up traffic counters which revealed the Lassig Street beach access averaged 242 daytime vehicles and 35 night-time vehicles per month and the northern beach access averaged 360 daytime vehicles and 43 night-time vehicles per month,” says Mayor Helen Blackburn.

“While we don’t have any data from before the trial to compare this to, the results clearly show the vast majority of drivers are keeping off the beaches at night while continuing to enjoy this beautiful area of our coastline during daylight hours.”

Natural Resources and Environment portfolio spokesperson Cr Jason Bartels says the vehicle access closure during the season is an example of Council working collaboratively with the community.

“Moore Park Beach residents, and particularly the local turtle monitoring group, raised a number of concerns about night-time vehicle access to the beach in turtle season, from the safety of volunteers walking the beach at night to the impacts of headlights and tracks disturbing nesting turtles,” Cr Bartels says.

“We listened and implemented the trial, erecting signage at the two beach vehicle access points.

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“The response from turtle volunteers has been very positive.

“They feel safer when out at night during turtle season and saw a big jump in turtle activity in the Moore Park Beach area.

“While we can’t categorically attribute this great result to the trial we can assume it’s having a positive impact.”

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