Four Wheel Driving

Policy on Public Access

The public has access to most areas managed by the Department of Environment and Conservation. However, access may be restricted in some areas for reasons of public safety or environmental protection including dieback disease control, the safeguarding of rare flora and fauna and the protection and management of sensitive cultural sites. Where public access is restricted, this is communicated to visitors through signs and/or other forms of notices.

While on DEC-managed lands, all vehicles must be licensed under the Road Traffic Act and must comply with the regulations of this act.

All vehicles are required to stay on established roads or tracks. Vehicles may only be used off a public road or track (e.g. a beach) if an area has been designated for such use.

In the case of national parks and conservation parks, this designation is generally conferred through the preparation of a management plan, which involves extensive public participation. Similarly, off-road vehicle use in all other reserves and State Forest is not permitted, unless so designated. In other words, ‘bush bashing' or travelling cross-country is not allowed.

DEC may also authorise the use of vehicles registered under the Control of Vehicles (Off-Road Areas) Act in specific areas, but not on public roads. These areas are established specifically for the operation of trail and trial bikes, dune buggies and other recreational vehicles and all such vehicles must be licensed under this Act.

DEC will permit people with disabilities to use motorised vehicles off-road to enable them to access a particular area or event, providing the vehicle is registered under either the Road Traffic Act or Control of Vehicles (Off-road Areas) Act, the driver holds a current driver's licence and access of the area in question will not significantly impact on the natural environment and/or the use and enjoyment of other visitors.

Why have controls?

Restrictions on vehicle and other forms of access are imposed so the public's recreational needs can be satisfied while native flora and fauna and landscape values are protected. Uncontrolled recreational use, including off-road vehicle driving, has in the past severely damaged the environment. With more people come greater risks of vegetation loss, soil compaction and erosion, localised changes to surface runoff, vandalism to cultural features and wildfire... not to mention the social problems created when inconsiderate people drop litter or create excessive noise.

Of greatest concern in Western Australia, however, is the risk of dieback spread. Dieback is a plant disease caused by a microscopic fungus known as Phythopthora, which lives in the soil. There are several different species of Phythopthora present in WA, which pose a severe threat to the State's native flora. Dieback is known to attack and kill nearly 1000 native plant species, many of them classified as rare and Endangered. Unfortunately, researchers have yet to find a cure for this deadly fungal disease.

The disease is spread naturally by water movement through the soil as well as artificially by the transportation of infected soil and plants. Four-wheel drivers could unknowingly collect infected soil particles on the tyres and undercarriage of their vehicles and spread the disease to new areas.

As part of its disease management and hygiene strategy, DEC has designated a number of ‘Disease Risk Areas' throughout the south-west of the State. Such areas are signposted and the entry and movement of all vehicles and heavy machinery, which could lead to the introduction and/or artificial spread of the disease is restricted and strictly controlled through a permit system.

In recent years, DEC has also run several dieback education workshops for 4WD clubs and other groups to increase the level of community awareness about the nature of the disease and how it can be most effectively controlled.