Researchers from CQU's Centre for Environmental Management have developed a 4WD Code of Practice in conjunction with 4WD vehicle users to help protect key species using beaches, such as nesting shorebirds and turtles.

These species use coastal resources (dunes, beaches and wetlands) as feeding, roosting and nesting grounds and are susceptible to human disturbance as many people undertake activities on the beach as well.   

The Code of Practice was made possible through a grant provided by the Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resources Management (BMRG).

The Code of Practice provides recreational vehicle users with simple guidelines to minimize their impact on coastal resources and their inhabitants.  Examples of the codes include:

- When driving on beaches, drive on firm damp sand below the most recent high tide, reduce speeds and beware of other pedestrians and users on the beach, particularly around fisherman and swimmers;

- Travel within 2 hours of low tide;

- Keep to established vehicle tracks;

- Ensure vehicles are mechanically sound to reduce pollution e.g. oil leaks.

These simple guidelines ensure that we can continue to have fun on our coast, visit beautiful sites and protect our coasts and our wildlife for future generations.

For a copy of the code, contact Dr Tamara van Polanen Petel at CQU's Centre for Environmental Management on t.vanpolanenpetel@cqu.edu.au, Bundy 4WD bundy4wd@bigpond.com, WBB4X4 - admin@widebayburnett4x4.com , Four Wheel Drive Queensland -  info@fwdqld.com.au or your local council.

Over 3 million shorebirds use our shores as feeding grounds during September to April when migratory (and resident) shorebirds feed on invertebrates buried in the sand or mud.  Once they have deposited sufficient fat reserves they head back north flying extraordinary distances to their breeding grounds in Northern China, Siberia and Alaska.  Shorebirds are highly vulnerable to disturbance, with disruptions to feeding having negative impacts on their body condition and therefore survival. Chicks and eggs in nests on the beach are also easily crushed as they are extremely well camouflaged.

Similar to shorebirds, endangered species such as loggerhead, green and flatback turtles migrate long distances from feeding grounds to nest on our shores between November and January.   Nesting turtles are easily disturbed by lights and movement, especially when leaving the water, crossing the beach and digging their nests.  Thousands of hatchlings then emerge between January and March to make a risky dash to the sea.  Their journey across the sand is one of the most dangerous times of their life.  They are extremely vulnerable to predation from crabs and birds, disturbance and desiccation.  They can become disoriented by lights after they emerge from their nests following a false horizon and can become trapped in vehicle tracks stopping them from reaching the sea.  It's a real case of upping the odds with sadly less than 1 in 10,000 loggerhead hatchlings surviving to maturity.