The two access points, at Weeroona and East Ocean Shores Park, which have been used for a number of years, were closed and locked over than a month ago, leaving only one authorised beach access point through the picnic ground at Manning Point.

This is the only vehicular beach access point on Mitchells Island and is the only way users of the Farquhar Park camping ground, about seven kilometres away, can now get access.

Resident Brian Shoesmith wrote a letter to Greater Taree City councillors about the concerns of the community and as a result, a meeting was held with councillor and deputy mayor David West.

Cr West went for a drive along the beach to discover some of the problems caused by only one access track for vehicles.

The Manning River Times has also visited the site of the authorised access point at Manning Point village.

Upon our arrival a four-wheel-drive vehicle was seen reversing from this single lane track and heading off.

A walk down to the beach-end of the track showed a relatively steep drop where the sand had been washed away in the previous two days, tracks on the beach where tyres from vehicles had dug into the ground and a damaged piece of timber poking up from underneath the sand.

On this day vehicular access to the beach from this site was not recommended and residents were seen to approach and warn drivers about what was ahead.

They all (after seeing for themselves) decided not to risk it.

The biggest worry for residents is that if someone is injured on the beach then emergency services will not be able to get access to them to offer treatment, and the result of this could be deadly.

“(For example) if someone is at Farquhar and there is an accident and they can’t get off the beach and can’t go through the caravan park tracks, then they can’t get access,” Brian said.

Residents said the single lane two-way track, which travels over a crest, creates a hazard for accidents and damage to vehicles and people.

The crest has never been an issue before because there hasn’t been the volume of traffic that they now predict will be required to use it.

While this time of year is relatively quiet, residents say that Christmas, Easter and long weekends can see the population of the village increase by an estimated 2000 people – many of which like to take their vehicles down onto the beach.

Added to this is the large number of people who use the popular Farquhar Park camping ground.

This means a sharp increase of traffic using the one access point and the fear there will be major congestion and constant “prangs”.

Council is unable to widen the track because of the native fauna.

The residents say if the two other entrances were open it would spread out the traffic, make it safer, and would mean there would always be a safe beach access for vehicles.

In addition to public safety, they also say tourism and the village’s economy will take a significant hit.

Residents predict visitors to the caravan parks will start going elsewhere because they won’t be able to access the beach in their vehicles as they used to.

They say the users of Farquhar Park often tow 15-foot caravans down the beach to the site, which backs onto the river and is a popular tourist destintion for families with children.

Those campers often drive to Manning Point to buy supplies at the store and before returning to their campsite.

Permits are required to take your vehicle onto the beach and are available through Greater Taree City Council.

Allan Walker, who has been visiting Manning Point with his family for the past 20 years, said he’s paid for a permit that he can’t use as the access point is “too dangerous at the moment”.

“Without the access points, people will stop coming to Manning Point for their holidays.

“What we come here for is to enjoy the beach and regularly go for a drive along the beach to the river,” he said.

It’s these holidaymakers that bring money into the village and gives the shop, bowling club and restaurants a much-needed boost.

While the authorised access point is on Crown Land, it is Greater Taree City Council who maintains the road in the picnic area. The other beach tracks were always maintained by the respective caravan parks.

Pedestrian access is still available to the beach from the caravan parks.