“Council have received reports of people driving carelessly on our local beaches and are reminding anyone wishing to take their 4WD onto the designated areas that they must have a current beach permit,” Regulatory Services group manager Tim Atherton said. 

The warning comes as Dunbogan resident Ivan Crabbe said majority of people who are driving on the sand at Dunbogan Beach to Diamond Head do not have permits, are exceeding the speed limit and are driving dangerously. 

He said there is no signage at the southern Diamond Head Rest Area to inform people they must have a permit to drive along the beach. 

Beach permits are required before venturing onto the beach with your four wheel drive. 

Mr Atherton said council rangers regularly patrol beaches across the region, working alongside National Parks and Wildlife Service and the NSW Police to ensure local residents and visitors can enjoy our beaches under safe conditions.

He said anyone who witnesses dangerous driving should contact the police. 

A common beach permit allows the use of 4WDs on designated beaches in the Nambucca, Kempsey and Port Macquarie-Hastings local government areas.

Mr Atherton encouraged people to remember beaches were public areas with other users including dog walkers, swimmers and fishermen.

Permit holders must obey the 50km/h speed or 25km/h speed limit when within 100 metres of people.

For more information visit council’s website.