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Council votes to close Dewars Track
Published Wednesday, 16th December 2015
Long term illegal and severe abuse of Dewars Track in Two Rocks and extreme safety risks of keeping it open, have resulted in Council voting to close the track to vehicles from Friday 15 January 2016
The City’s coastal rangers will patrol the area and the City reserves the right (under Section 3.50(1) of the Local Government Act 1995) to close the track earlier than 15 January due to safety reasons and if any irresponsible or illegal use is observed.
Dewars Track runs across two private properties over which the City has two easement agreements. Risk assessments have revealed extreme and high safety risk ratings.
The track was set up to enable cars to access a car park at the end of the track so that fishers, surfers and swimmers could walk from there to the beach.
Mayor Tracey Roberts said the City has received more than 100 complaints from residents over the past year about repeated misuse of the track.
“Public nuisance, hooning, vandalism, trespassing, illegal dumping and littering are unacceptable behaviours,” she said.
“The City is not prepared to put the safety of residents and visitors in jeopardy - unfortunately the majority of irresponsible track users have abused the privilege.
“It is abundantly clear that most 4WDs are using Dewars to access the dunes and beach and drive off-road as a thoroughfare between the City of Wanneroo and the Shire of Gingin.
“Rapid growth in our coastal suburbs means more young families are using beaches on weekends and many of them are afraid to do so if 4WDs and quad bikes are present.
“Serious abuse of Dewars Track has caused deterioration and substantial environmental issues including erosion. The City has tried to regulate track use and engage with users to minimise harm, but keeping it open is untenable because of significant cost implications for City ratepayers.”
Costs to maintain the track since March 2014 are approximately $110,000. A consultant’s report has indicated that an upgrade would cost approximately $800,000. Continued works and ongoing maintenance and compliance over 10 years would cost between $2.75M to $4.49M.
People who want to surf and fish at Dewars will still be able to walk there from the beach adjacent to Sovereign Drive.
More information is available on the City’s website and in the Dewars Track FAQs.
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