Opinion: Broome’s beaches are a shared space for all to enjoy

Published on 09 June 2022

Harold-beach-sign.png

By Harold Tracey

Broome is lucky to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Heading down to our golden shores for sunset is one of the best things about living here and it also brings lots of tourists to our town during the dry season.

At this time of the year, when Broome is busy and the weather is perfect, the number of people that use local beaches increases significantly.

There are lots of different groups and people that head to the beach for different reasons.

This can make our Rangers’ job especially challenging and can lead to friction or potentially dangerous situations.

What I can tell you is our tireless Ranger team are undertaking daily patrols at Cable Beach and Gantheaume Beach – but they can’t be there all the time.

As such, it’s really important for residents and visitors to know the following information:

  • When using the Cable Beach vehicle access ramp, cars are permitted to drive north of the rocks – but must never drive south (don’t drive towards the main Cable Beach area).
  • North of the rocks, dogs must be on a leash for the first 2km.
  • The speed limit for driving on the beach is 15km/h.
  • Only 4WD vehicles are permitted north of the rocks, as you need to traverse soft sand and rocks.
  • When driving on Gantheaume Beach please be aware that vehicles may only drive/park north up to the installed signage.
  • Dogs must be on a lead at Gantheaume Beach between 5.30am and 10am, due to horses exercising at this time of year.
  • Fires on the beach, and large parties or bush doofs, are not permitted – Broome Police are monitoring this.
  • Please be aware of the big tides and risk to vehicles.
  • Please pick up after your dog to keep our beaches beautiful.

The Shire is installing new signage at the Cable Beach access ramp and the Rangers will be on hand to provide education on our Local Laws.

Broome is one of the few towns in regional WA that allow people to drive on the beach.

Whilst this makes for a great lifestyle option for beach-goers, it can cause issues in the dry season – issues that Shire Rangers need to manage.

As such, I’d implore everyone heading to our beaches to do the right thing, be conscientious of others and stick to the rules.

The last thing the Shire wants is a situation where we have to reassess how our beaches are used to ensure the safety of all.

Harold Tracey is the Shire of Broome president

Tagged as:
Back to top