Council approves February closure of Cable Beach vehicle ramp
Published on 19 September 2024
The Shire Council has voted to support the Yawuru Park Council recommendation to extend the annual December and January closure of the Cable Beach north vehicle ramp through February.
The Shire will close the vehicle access ramp through summer from December 1 to February 28 under section 3.50(1a) of the Local Government Act 1995, to protect nesting and hatching turtles.
Shire President Chris Mitchell said the closure will improve the chances of survival of late-season flatback turtle hatchlings.
"In recent years, the ramp did not open in February due to the weather impacts on the vehicle ramp and beach.
"That changed this year due to the unusually dry summer, which led to reports of turtle hatchlings caught in tyre ruts.
Shire President Mitchell said the Council considered several factors, including DBCA turtle breeding data from 2017 to 2023 and community consultation in deciding to extend the ramp closure.
"It was the dominant issue at our Annual Electors Meeting in February, where a motion was raised to close the ramp, followed by a Council motion two weeks later," he said.
"The consultation around that motion included a survey on the Shire website's Have Your Say page that received 925 valid submissions, of which 64 per cent were in favour of the February closure.
"The Shire of Broome Community Scorecard 2024 and the draft Animal Management Plan May 2024 community engagement processes also showed widespread support for protecting nesting turtles, nests, and hatchlings."
The closure will apply to all vehicles other than essential Council services, DBCA and Yawuru Rangers, licensed businesses and emergency vehicles or any vehicles authorised by the Shire of Broome Chief Executive Officer.
Turtle nesting season on Cable Beach is from October until March each year, with the Shire already having imposed restrictions to vehicle access to the beach, including night-time curfews, at certain times during these months.
In October 22, the Council unanimously decided to close the northern section of Cable Beach in December and January to vehicles altogether after community consultation.
As before, the three-month closure will apply to all vehicles other than essential Council services, DBCA and Yawuru Rangers, licensed businesses and emergency vehicles or any vehicles authorised by the Shire of Broome Chief Executive Officer.
New Cable Beach North Vehicle Ramp restrictions
From October 1 to November 30, he vehicle ramp will be closed at night to vehicles from 8pm to 6am, and for 2 hours on either side of a tide exceeding 9 metres
A full closure will apply from December 1 to February 28.
The ramp will fully reopen on March 1, beach conditions permitting.