Susanna Freymark
Driving on Airforce Beach has its issues — many of which were discussed again at the Richmond Valley Council meeting on March 17.
At the December meeting councillor Robert Hayes had asked the council for a report about the beach.
That report is available to read here.
The most contentious issue is the possibility of relocating the access road for 4WDs at Airforce Beach — moving it to the northern edge of the Evans Head township.
Let’s allow the community to address this, Mr Hayes said.
“The most undesirable activity on Airforce Beach happens at dusk and at night, the beach is not monitored at this time.”
Mayor Robert Mustow said recent community consultation showed the majority of residents wanted to keep 4WD access on Airforce Beach.
“They want more management with more regulations,” he said.
Mr Mustow said the community would be asked about any change of access once the council had approval to use the land further north for an access point.
He said there was no point asking the community until the council knew it was a possibility.
The council has written to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services asking for feedback on options to relocate car access from the current site at Pine Lane/Terrace Street, to Broadwater Evans Head Road.
The map below identifies the Broadwater Evans Head Road access options on the northern edge of Evans Head that have been partially cleared.
The cleared land is identified as Lot 7314 DP1161642 in Broadwater National Park. This land adjoins two coastal Lots: Lot 7058 DP96632 in Broadwater National Park and Lot 7020 DP1051335 on Crown Land. This presents two options for access to the beach.
Option 1 accesses the beach entirely through Broadwater National Park, or Option 2 accesses via National Park as well as Crown Land, noting both Lots have existing Native Title determined.
This matter will be back at the council meeting when resolved.
The council report on Airforce Beach showed that one safety option was to install a closure gate and fencing as part of the upgrade works. 
Activities on the beach were monitored over the Christmas to New Year period and the January long weekend by park rangers on beach patrol.
A total of five penalties were issued between Christmas 2025 to February 23.2026. Of these penalties, four were for dangerous driving offence including speeding, and one for driving on Crown Land. All speeding offences were Queensland number plated vehicles.
Fourteen warnings were issued for dogs off-leash in areas beyond 1.3km north of the 4WD entry point at Terrace Street.
People issued with warnings were generally found to be polite and amenable to observing distances when approached by rangers.
The council’s signage marking the dogs-off-leash area has been maliciously removed in the past. While it is getting replaced, any missing or vandalised signs make it difficult for rangers to issue fines.
Fine amounts are set by the Office of Local Government and by NSW Crown Lands. Infringement for dogs off-leash in prohibited areas incur a fine of $330, this is higher than fines for dangerous driving and other prohibited behaviour ranging from $110 to $220.
For offences under the Roads Act, such as performing donuts and fishtailing, only NSW Police can issue fines for the stretch of the beach between the low and high mean watermarks which is considered a road. The number of cars counted on Airforce Beach on January 26 was 105 vehicles sighted during one patrol session.