Signs promote protect and respect message
Explore Councils by state
10 September 2018
Albany’s coastal reserves are popular recreational spaces and visitors are being encouraged to help protect the areas and respect other users ahead of the busy spring and summer seasons.
The City of Albany with assistance from South Coast NRM have created and erected signs at entry points to most coastal reserves encouraging responsible off-road activity and shared use of trails for everyone’s enjoyment.
Manager City Reserves Jacqui Freeman said the signs promote the Code Off-Road messages that ask four-wheel-drivers to reduce tyre pressure, engage four-wheel-drive mode and stay on the tracks to reduce impact on the environment.
“Ensuring vehicles and equipment are clean of soil before entering the reserves is also promoted as a way of reducing the chance of spreading dieback, which can have devastating impacts on local flora,” she said.
With reserves also used by other recreationalists including walkers, horse riders, mountain bikers and motorbikes, Mrs Freeman said it was important to respect other users and share dual-use trails, but also respect that some activities are not permitted on some trails.
“The signs clearly show trails such as sections of the Stidwell Bridal Trail that are allocated for single use and shouldn’t be accessed by motorbikes or four-wheel drives, as well as trails like the Bibbulumn Track that are walk only,” she said.
“In the near future the City will be installing some physical barriers on the horse only sections of the Stidwell trail to ensure these are not accessed by motorbikes to improve safety for horse riders.”
Mrs Freeman said only licensed four-wheel drives and motorbikes were permitted to use tracks.
“Using restricted tracks or tracks not designated for this purpose, and driving or riding unlicensed vehicles, could result in infringements,” she said.
Responsible use of reserve areas will be further encouraged when the City partners with some community members to run pop-up information sessions at key reserve entry points during peak periods where all users will be stopped and provided with information packs about the areas and how they can assist in protecting the coast.