Sandy Point beach road closure decision upheld by Council

Mar 8

Hay Shire Council voted to uphold the approved Murrumbidgee River Masterplan at last Tuesday’s Council meeting, despite objections from a number of residents.

The Masterplan, adopted in 2021 after a period of community consultations, included the removal of a section of beach-side road and small carpark area at Sandy Point Beach, as part of an overall redevelopment of the area.

Objectors claim the removal of the road to make way for an extended beach and lawn area restricts access by the elderly and less able beach users.

A petition circulated for signatures and presented to Council claims “closing the road would inconvenience river users greatly and deter people from stopping in at the beach and viewing one of Hay’s greatest assets.”

The petition secured 127 signatures, and several more objections in writing were presented to Councillors for consideration.

Cr Lionel Garner said safety was the biggest issue at Sandy Point, where families, motorists and boating enthusiasts share the space.

“It’s all about safety. You’ve got to worry about the safety of the children that are there and the people that are using the beach itself.

“It’s about safety first, not about who has the biggest boat in Hay, and going for a ski.”

“Some people say nothing has happened in 100 years,” Cr Garner continued.

“Good. Let’s keep it that way.”

Cr Paul Porter suggested that providing additional chairs and tables along the river at attractive vantage points could be a suitable compromise.

“There is nowhere else in NSW that you can drive down to a beach,” he said.

Cr Darren Clarke believes misinformation about which road was being closed may have caused people to sign the petition.

“I think we need to open the road for the elderly people,” Cr Handford said.

Cr Chapman suggested relocating the road further back, and posting lower speed limits for motorists, which prompted General Manager David Webb to query who would enforce such limits.

Cr Quinn suggested the Murrumbidgee River Masterplan be revisited.

“This was approved by a past Council. Maybe we should revisit it.”

Cr Clarke disagreed.

“The decision has been made. The consultation has been done. It is time to move forward.”

Mayor Carol Oataway suggested delaying the decision for six months, but councillors disagreed and Cr Clark posed the motion that the road closure remain, and the improvements in the Murrumbidgee River Masterplan continue.

Cr Porter seconded the motion and the vote was carried. Councillors Handford, Quinn and Chapman voted against the motion, preferring for the beachside road to be reinstated.