Nanarup Beach West to open to vehicles after Albany council back beach access plan

Nanarup Beach West is set to be officially opened to vehicles despite a push from councillors at Tuesday’s ordinary council meeting to keep vehicles banned from the popular swimming spot. Councillors passed a recommendation to continue to allow access to Betty’s Beach North, Shoal Bay and open Nanarup Beach West, while vehicles will not be allowed on Betty’s Beach South except to launch boats. The revised recommendation came after the City received 263 responses, with the majority objecting to the City’s original plans to ban access at Betty’s Beach North and Shoal Bay. In an attempt to keep vehicles off Nanarup Beach West and away from swimmers, Cr Paul Terry moved an alternate motion to see the change scrapped from the officer’s recommendation. “I know times have changed a bit and people have a lot more equipment on their 4WDs ... and they also like to take a lot of stuff to the beach,” he said. “I question why people have to take so much stuff. “I am really concerned that by having open slather the likelihood of having incidents down there will be greater.” Cr Chris Thomson backed Cr Terry’s motion and said Nanarup was a “jewel in the crown” for Albany’s beaches. “It is pretty much the Greens Pool of Albany, you wouldn’t expect going to Greens Pool you would have 4WDs and traffic,” he said. Cr Terry’s recommendation was lost, with councillors passing the officer’s recommendation 7-4. Cr Terry, Cr Thomson, Cr Matt Benson-Lidholm and Cr Ray Hammond voted against. Nanarup Beach West, Shoal Bay and Betty’s Beach North will be open to cars, while Betty’s Beach South would only be allowed vehicles to launch boats. Cr Emma Doughty shared her support for the original recommendation, stating it was shaped by community feedback. “This is what the community has asked and we are listening to it,” she said. “We have gone through a process, we have done a community survey ... they have spoken.” The final changes will be advertised for further public comment.