Vehicle restrictions to protect turtles

Annual vehicle restrictions on Cable Beach will be introduced on Wednesday (October 8) to help protect nesting turtles.

The Cable Beach North access ramp will be closed to vehicles between 8pm and 6am each day during the turtle nesting season until February 28.

Cable Beach will also be closed to vehicles two hours either side of high tides of 9m or more.

Broome Shire president Graeme Campbell said the gate installed at the Cable Beach Amphitheatre access ramp would be locked during the temporary closures.

"The vehicle closure times are primarily at night and during the period when the beach is least used and turtle nesting season is underway," he said.

"The main species nesting on Cable Beach is the Flatback turtle, which is threatened and is protected under WA legislation.

"Turtles generally nest at the top of the beach just above the high tide mark, and their nests can be damaged by vehicles compacting sand and crushing nests.

"Wheel ruts can prevent hatchlings making their way to the water's edge, and vehicle lights can disturb and confuse hatchlings."

More information on vehicle access and driving techniques during turtle nesting season is on the Shire website at www.broome.wa.gov.au/comm/tnsvc.htm .