29 June 2020
Today we are sending you links to four scientific studies that demonstrate the damaging impacts 4×4 (ORV) beach driving has on our LIVING beach.
See attached photos taken by a BIEPA member on Woorim’s main beach – demonstrating the damage just one vehicle can do. (This beach is NOT designated as a highway by the Queensland Government. However, 4x4s have 24/7 access to Ocean Beach with ~ 3,000 on Australia Day 2019.)
Off-Road Vehicle use is arguably one of the most environmentally damaging human activities undertaken on sandy beaches worldwide. Existing scientific studies focused on areas of high traffic volumes have demonstrated significantly lower abundance, diversity, and species richness of the fauna in zones where traffic is concentrated.
A Western Australian scientist concludes: ‘Given the choice between either reducing traffic volumes, or excluding ORV traffic from beaches, our results suggest that the latter would be more appropriate when the retention of ecological integrity is the objective.’
That is: Should 4×4 beach driving be allowed to continue to destroy and sterilise Bribie Island’s Internationally, Nationally and State protected Ocean Beach?
“There is a growing body of evidence on the nature and extent of environmental degradation caused by ORVs (Off-Road Vehicles) on beaches, including geomorphological changes; destruction of dune vegetation; and impacts on wildlife such as turtles, birds and invertebrates.” Schlacher et al.
(1). https://serc.carleton.edu/
(2). http://research.usc.edu.au/
(3) https://www.nature.com/
(4). https://oceanexplorer.noaa.
LIFE IN THE INTERTIDAL ZONE.
4×4 impacts Bribie Island Feb_20
23 June 2020
19 June 2020
4×4 PANDEMIC – DEATH TO BRIBIE ISLAND’S OCEAN BEACH
For more than 6 years BIEPA has been lobbying the Queensland Government to address the serious issues relating to the destruction 4×4 recreational beach driving has caused to Bribie Island’s environmental, social and economic health.
Attached is a poster and excerpt from a study and links to assist you in understanding our concerns. We hope you find the information informative.
from your BIEPA Management Committee