Draft Beach Driving Policy

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This policy has been developed to provide a framework for the management of recreational vehicles on beaches in the Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Area (LGA), with the aim of:

  • Establishing a consistent approach to regulating beach access by vehicles on beaches
  • Protecting the coastal environment
  • Ensuring the safety of all beach users
  • Allowing for sustainable and equitable recreational use of beaches.

Beaches and dunal ecosystems are highly valued by the local community and our region's visitors, and improper use can compromise this valuable resource.

The projected population increase in our LGA will place pressure on our beaches, with higher levels of competing use and the need for clear guidelines for all users.

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Provide beach permits which allow the recreational use of vehicles on beaches and adjacent reserves in the LGA
  • Enforce compliance with Beach Driving Guidelines
  • Utilise income generated through the sale of beach permits for maintenance of beach access points and associated infrastructure.

This policy applies to all vehicles other than those used by:

  • Emergency services, surf lifesaving clubs, lifeguards and other persons during bonafide rescue operations
  • Authorised servants of Local, State and Commonwealth Governments in performance of their duties
  • Commercial fishers with a valid fishing license.

Have your say

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this draft policy by:

Comments should be received no later than 5pm on 28 April 2025.


This policy has been developed to provide a framework for the management of recreational vehicles on beaches in the Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Area (LGA), with the aim of:

  • Establishing a consistent approach to regulating beach access by vehicles on beaches
  • Protecting the coastal environment
  • Ensuring the safety of all beach users
  • Allowing for sustainable and equitable recreational use of beaches.

Beaches and dunal ecosystems are highly valued by the local community and our region's visitors, and improper use can compromise this valuable resource.

The projected population increase in our LGA will place pressure on our beaches, with higher levels of competing use and the need for clear guidelines for all users.

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Provide beach permits which allow the recreational use of vehicles on beaches and adjacent reserves in the LGA
  • Enforce compliance with Beach Driving Guidelines
  • Utilise income generated through the sale of beach permits for maintenance of beach access points and associated infrastructure.

This policy applies to all vehicles other than those used by:

  • Emergency services, surf lifesaving clubs, lifeguards and other persons during bonafide rescue operations
  • Authorised servants of Local, State and Commonwealth Governments in performance of their duties
  • Commercial fishers with a valid fishing license.

Have your say

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this draft policy by:

Comments should be received no later than 5pm on 28 April 2025.


  • Survey

    Writing a submission is one way of sharing your views and opinions with Council. All submissions are considered before making a decision and your submission may be included in a report to Council. 

    Submissions close at 5pm on 28 April 2025.

    Note: Information collected via submissions and petitions is public information, this information may form part of Council reports or made public in their entirety subject to the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993 or the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act). You may request, in writing, that Council suppress the personal information in your submission from public release, if you consider that the personal safety of any person would be affected if the information was not suppressed Any such request will be dealt with in accordance with the GIPA Act and the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998. 

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Page last updated: 02 Apr 2025, 02:01 PM