Hoons drive people spare at beachside

BEACHSIDE residents have been left angered by growing numbers of four-wheel drives, motorbikes and quad bikes roaring past their homes.

Balgal Beach resident Ray Sparks, 73, said he was “having a lot of trouble with unregistered drivers on the beach”.

He said motorcyclists were also careering along the beach near the residential strip without helmets and was concerned it could lead to injury.

“A lot of people are scared to go on the beach now. They see them (4WDS and bikes) coming and they just have to leave,” he said.

Mr Sparks said motorists sometimes drove on the beach without lights. He has been living across from the beach for 16 years and noticed motorists on the beach becoming problematic about five years ago.

“For the last five years they’ve been pretty full-on and it only seems to be getting worse,” he said.

“Hooning around all that – the turtles come up to nest there.

“There used to be soldier crab beds, yabbie beds. Now they’re all gone. They’ve done a lot of damage here.”

Mr Sparks said he had contacted police “many times” over the issue.

Rollingstone officer-incharge Sergeant Brad Gough said it was difficult to police, with the two-officer station currently operating with just the one officer.

“It is a very contentious issue,” Sgt Gough said.

“It’s probably escalated since the area of beach of Oliver Creek was closed. It’s probably one of the last places in Townsville to ride around (on the beach) like that.”

According to the Townsville City Council, legal access to the beach is off Toomulla Beach Rd and Paluma Range National Park.

Sgt Gough said motorists using the beach created a number of issues, including damaging wildlife, causing beach erosion and creating noise problems.

He said a council “no access” sign part-way up the beach was overgrown and often disregarded by motorists.

“(Residents) shouldn’t have to deal with noise levels like that,” he said.

“I understand the frustration caused. We can only do so much, we have to prioritise our jobs.”

Beaches are considered roads and normal road rules apply. Motorists need to carry their licence and proof of registration, wear a seat belt and not drink and drive.