Stockton Beach

[Rockape1]

Hi there members
Just Want to open a discussion about whats going to happen to Stockton beach due to their sandmining proposal. Can anyone tell what I can do about it because to me whats going to happen to Stockton is the last resort. They have closed every beach on the coast just about for 1 reason or another either camping or 4x4ing. Makes it hard when I've brought my children & grandchildren up on the beaches either fishing and camping and they've grown up to respect the beach and environment & love doing it. 1 by 1 those beaches have disappeared and if Stockton go's, Well!. All I can say is god help my greatchildren as it'll all be stories then.

[101RRS]

First post - sounds like a an agenda - if I am wrong I apologise in advance.

Sand mining has been going on there for years as well as where I come from down Belmont way on Nine Mile Beach.

I believe that at Stockton the miners either own the land they have or have had a long term lease and this area is outside the area that is owned/managed by the Indigenous people/National Parks.

While it would be preferred not to have sand mining in these areas it has been going on for a long long time and would seem to not have an impact on the recreational use of the area - the dune areas are closed at the moment for other reasons which have been discussed at length in other threads.

Garry

[PhilipA]

I was surprised to hear from my son on Saturday that the Quad operators are allowed on the high dunes North of Lavis lane.
I won a quad trip for two in the raffle at the beach cleanup last year which he used on Saturday and according to him was able to access the highest dunes.
My understanding was that the area was closed because of the sacred sites uncovered in the bad storms last year.

Anyone know if the Quad operators have exclusive access , as they told my son? If so I am prepared to raise my dudgeon level.

Regards Philip A

[DiscoWeb]

Phillip,

I think there is some "private" land at the rear of Stockton Beach and I believe that is where the Quad bikes sometime go. The bulk of the beach and dunes are still restricted to the public. No idea when, if every access will be permit again.

With regards to sand mining as noted earlier they have been mining in that area for a long time, again usually on Private land but also public land and Govt. owned/controlled land such as land associated with the Dept. of Defence.

Not 100% sure of the impact this will have in access to the Beach proper but I for one would find it strange if access was denied so they could sand mine. Lets also remember there is a lot of beach still open and accessible, unfortunately it seems all the fun dunes at the rear are no longer part of that.

It would be very sad indeed if we were locked out of areas like Stockton as it is a great place to go, however sometime the behaviour of so called 4wders leave a lot to be desired and this impacts us all.

Regards,

George

[Lickity]

4WD Action just did a video update recently on what is going on with Stockton.

Behind The Scenes - Stockton Update! | Australian 4WD Action (http://www.4wdaction.com.au/articles/2013/behind-scenes-stockton-update)

Might be worth a look.

[Rockape1]

Thanks lickity for the video link as that's what I wanted to see and i'll make sure like everyone else should as well to pass it on to everyone as it's suppose to be not to late. I'm just worried here as being 56 years old I've seen too many beaches closed for driving on or camping. I know that the sandmining has been going on there for decades but this is a new company opening up apparenty for the next 20 years because Stockton has the 3 different grades of sand thus explaining the dunes going to be pushed back with dozes to make it easier to get.So Bad luck quads and trikes. I've also heard that most of the beach will be fenced off near to the water, leaving 1 small area open for camping in the future. So C'mon people, Watch the video that lickity has posted and do any and everything possible before it's too late.

[jonesy63]

The beginning of the end?
Port mayor's sand mine approved | Newcastle Herald (http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1813521/port-mayors-sand-mine-approved/)

[RVR110]

Anyone know if the Quad operators have exclusive access , as they told my son? If so I am prepared to raise my dudgeon level.
I've been on one of the quad bike tours at Stockton and they do take you on some of the largest dunes - it's a hoot.

The quad bikes tours are operated by the indigenous owners, so that would give them exclusive access if they wanted it.

[303gunner]

The High Dunes are not, and never have been, part of the Worimi Conservation Lands (See MAP (http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/wclBeachDrivingMap.pdf)). This has been private land for many years and has not always been policed as "off limits" to general users of Stockton. The more recent declaration of NPWS/WCL management of Stocton has provided more resources for signposting and even patrolling, but the access situation has never changed. It's private land, and the tour operators would have negotiated access with the owners. If the owners want to sandmine (or licence commercial tour operators to access their land), that's up to them.

The restrictions on camping are more recent, and have resulted from Storms in 2012 (http://www.worimiconservationlands.com/services.php'top=services&category=about&sid=58), and have nothing to do with any sandmining proposals. By the tone of the management notice on camping, it is likely that the restriction will remain in place for some time to come, but it is not explicitly stated to be permanent.

If you think this is a blanket directive from the "Land Council" or NPWS to outlaw camping or unnecessarily restrict access to parts of Stockton, bear in mind that the decision was made with information and consultation from the WCL Consultative Group (http://www.worimiconservationlands.com/services.php'top=services&category=plan&sid=99), which includes strong representation of 4wd clubs and recreational users.

[Discomark]

I believe we have a couple of new Senators who are Pro 4WD and camping. Would imagine they will be lobbying the govt to open up areas that were shut down under previous governments. Hope so anyway.

[KarlB]

I believe we have a couple of new Senators who are Pro 4WD and camping. Would imagine they will be lobbying the govt to open up areas that were shut down under previous governments. Hope so anyway.

And what areas are you talking about when you say: areas that were shut down by previous governments?

[101RRS]

I thought Stockton comes under the NSW State government and not the Federal Govt anyway.

[mikehzz]

The Federal Government only controls around 4 national parks, I think Jervis Bay is the only one in NSW. All the rest are controlled by State governments. Stockton was closed in June 2012 while the current NSW State Liberal government was already in office. Sorry, you can't blame the Greens or Julia for this one...

[Discomark]

Thanks for clarifying that. I guess now that its all Liberal then perhaps the new Senators will be better placed to get recreational areas opened up again. Quite a few of my favourite camp spots have had access restricted in the last few years and Stockton is one of them. It is disappointing however how much trash people leave behind so they certainly have an excuse to close areas off.

[101RRS]

The Federal Government only controls around 4 national parks, I think Jervis Bay is the only one in NSW.

Is not part of NSW - is in the Jervis Bay Territory which is part of the ACT - they doen't even have NSW number plates on cars registered there - ACT registration.

Garry

[303gunner]

Thanks for clarifying that. I guess now that its all Liberal then perhaps the new Senators will be better placed to get recreational areas opened up again.
They mustn't have clarified it enough for you. National Parks are a State Government responsibility outside the control of Federal Politicians.

They can write a letter to their State Member just like anyone else can, and would probably be ignored just like anyone would.

[Discomark]

A draft plan for the management of Stockton has been released.

looks like only 30 camp sites will be made available with restrictions :(

Worimi Conservation Lands - Stockton Bight, Stockton Beach, Stockton Sand Dunes, 4WD on Stockton Beach - About Us (http://www.worimiconservationlands.com/services.php'top=services&category=plan)


1. Camping will be permitted only at designated sites in designated camping areas. The designated camping area or areas will be located southwest from Tin City, behind the beach and frontal dune.
Page 49

2. A camping strategy will be prepared to guide the establishment of a camping area or areas. The strategy will provide for:
■ up to a combined total of 30 designated campsites;
■

[101RRS]

Well - right or wrong it is their land and they can do what they want with it.

I guess that given the number of yobbos that get there we should be thankful it is still open and there are camping sites.

I am not sure this is the right way to deal with the overuse of the area but something has to be done.

Garry

[Discomark]

FOUR-wheeled drive access to Stockton Beach will be limited for much of February and March because of upgrades to the Lavis Lane entrance of the Worimi Conservation Lands.

The Lavis Lane entrance will be closed from February 3 to March 23 while upgrade work is completed.


See your ad here
The conservation lands will still be accessible to four-wheeled drivers via the Gan Gan road entry at Anna Bay.

However drivers will also have to exit at the same point, meaning drivers should be mindful of tides and swell conditions before heading out.

The $300,000 upgrades include the realignment of Lavis Lane, sealing a section of the road, and improvements to the car park and signage.

4WD access limited in Stockton Beach upgrade | Newcastle Herald (http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2053065/4wd-access-limited-in-stockton-beach-upgrade/?cs=305)