Surfers riled by beach access
STATE authorities have shut down reports of surfers being slapped with fines while trying to catch waves at a popular break — but confusion still reigns over which beaches remain open.
A post shared on the Surfing Tasmania (STAS) Facebook page yesterday morning said “surfers were fined $170 each for their session” at The Wedge at South Arm Beach on Monday.
“This morning surfers were again risking fines at Wedge, so please spread the word that fines are being issued,” the post continued.
But a spokeswoman from the State Control Centre, which has been activated to manage the response to COVID-19, rejected the claim.
“There is no record of police attendance at the beach yesterday [Monday],” she said.
“Police attended the beach at 8.30am today. A number of surfers were in the water.
“Police determined they were present for exercise purposes and there was no further police action.
“The Parks and Wildlife Service has had no involvement in issuing infringements to surfers at The Wedge.”
PWS has closed all national parks and reserves to public recreational use to prevent the spread of coronavirus. But there is no comprehensive list of which beaches are included.
The situation has been made even more confusing by the fact council-managed beaches remain open.
STAS last week wrote to Premier Peter Gutwein saying it made no sense to ban recreational surfers, walkers, fishers and immediate coastal communities from using their local, and often isolated beaches, provided social distancing requirements were adhered to.
STAS executive officer Shayne Clark yesterday said the organisation was yet to receive a response.
He described the closure of beaches dependent on which agency controlled that slice of coastline as a “dog’s breakfast”.
“For example, Park Beach and Carlton Beach at Dodges Ferry are open but Clifton Beach is closed,” Mr Clark said.
“It was a kneejerk reaction to the scenes at Bondi. A commonsense approach is needed.
“If they’re going to enforce a shutdown, close them all.”