By JONATHON HOWARD
NOOSA Council officers will be on the lookout for motorists placing beachgoers in danger on the Noosa North Shore this year.
Motorists driving down the restricted frst and third access points to Noosa North Shore could face hefty fines following several near misses.
The warning follows a spike in complaints about drivers ignoring exclusion zone signage and driving their vehicles through restricted areas.
Council said in a press statement that the area of the beach between the first three access points was often packed with people and many were at risk of being run over.
The issue escalated recently after a beach user was assaulted by a driver who was travelling through the restricted area without approval.
Noosa Council disaster management and public order manager Ron Thomas said the exclusion zone had been in place for several years and drivers who ignored the signs placed other beach users at risk.
“The area between the first and third beach access points has been a restricted area for many years, there is signage advising this, and there is no excuse for drivers who break the rules,“ Mr Thomas said.
He said council officers would patrol the beach as well as follow up on complaints from beachgoers.
Mr Thomas said anyone who witnessed a vehicle breaking the rules, should make note of the registration number and report it to Noosa Council by phoning (07) 5329 6500.
