Yorke Peninsula’s fragile coastline needs protection, and a 10-year strategy is being developed to safeguard its future.

The Draft Guuranda/Yorke Peninsula Coastal Access Strategy 2025-2035 is being led by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board.

Project collaborators are Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation; Barunga West, Copper Coast, and Yorke Peninsula Council’s; the Department for Environment and Water, and other local stakeholders.

NYLB general manager Tony Fox said the strategy would aim to balance sustainable coastal access for off-road vehicles, while preserving fragile ecosystems and Narungga cultural sites, which hold deep spiritual significance.

Mr Fox said it would help ensure Yorke Peninsula’s rich natural assets were protected for future generations to enjoy.

“The number of people accessing Yorke Peninsula’s coastline via off-road vehicles is increasing every year, and the impacts include pollution, trampled vegetation and damage to Narungga sites of significance,” he said.

“No one wants to see the fragile coastal dune system harmed beyond repair, so it’s important that we work together to take a balanced approach that’s sustainable for both the environment and for continued recreational use by locals and visitors.”

Proposed actions include restricting access to sensitive areas to prevent further damage, enhancing visitor education to promote responsible behaviour, improving infrastructure such as access tracks to support sustainable recreation, and collaborating with Traditional Owners to preserve cultural and natural values.

YP’s coastline spans nearly 700 kilometres and features beaches, cliffs, estuaries, mangroves, tidal mudflats and salt marshes, along with the native plants and animals that call it home.

NNAC chair Cyril Kartinyeri said the strategy was a critical step towards protecting Narungga’s culture.

“For the Narungga people, the coast is central to our cultural identity,” he said.

“Our ancestors have lived along these shores for thousands of years, and the coastal environment holds deep spiritual and cultural significance.

“Coastal areas are integral to our traditions, stories, ceremonies and practices, and maintaining these places is essential for preserving our culture.”

NYLB has held information sessions with local progress associations, 4WD organisations, and the tourism sector.

Further public consultation on the draft strategy will occur in the new year, with the final strategy expected to be released in 2025. 

Local mayors back new coastal draft plan

Mayors Leonie Kerley, Roslyn Talbot and Darren Braund are all enthusiastic about the collaboration to develop the draft coastal access strategy for Yorke Peninsula.

Mayor Kerley said Barunga West Council was dedicated to protecting the coastline.

“By working with our partners and the community, we are ensuring a future where access and conservation co-exist,” she said.

“Council encourages all members of the community to participate in shaping the future of our coastline during the public consultation phase.

“By working together, we can protect our coastline and maintain its beauty and significance for years to come.”

It would be important to get the balance right, Mayor Talbot from Copper Coast Council said.

“People have a right to enjoy our coastal spaces, but it’s imperative they do so in a way that is sympathetic to the cultural and environmental overlay,” she said.

“Improved infrastructure in sensitive areas and increased visitor education are a must.”

YP Council mayor Darren Braund said the strategy was a proactive step to address the growing pressures on the coastline.

“Yorke Peninsula’s coastal areas are not only stunning but also incredibly delicate,” he said.

“This strategy is about protecting those areas while ensuring we can continue to enjoy them responsibly.

“By acting now, we can ensure that future generations can experience the same natural beauty and cultural richness we value so highly.” 

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 10 December 2024.