leeuwin naturaliste national park management plan - Department of ...

In view of the above, a coastal road from Sugarloaf to Yallingup is not supported. There is a need,however, for short term access to Kabbejgup to be improved. This should be accomplished byupgrading the eastern firebreaks of Reserves 20455, 8768 and 8427. Access to these will be alongHernsley Road. The existing coastal track will be closed to vehicles, and used as part of the Cape toCape walktrail.In the longer term, the Department recognises the need for improved vehicle circulation on CapeNaturaliste. A link between Cape Naturaliste Road and Caves Road would provide such animprovement. Existing gazetted road reserves could be utlised, but other options may be presented inthe future as the Cape and Dunsborough develops. A spur road to Kabbejgup should be constructedfrom such a road link.The development of future road options is a matter of liaison between the State PlanningCommission, Main Roads Department, CALM, Shire of Busselton and local landowners (refer to StatePlanning Commission Leeuwin- Naturaliste Region Study, Stage 1).CAVES ROADCaves Road provides the major access to the National Park. It runs parallel to virtually the entirelength of the Park, and it traverses part of the National Park near Boranup State Forest. It is under thecontrol of the Shires of Augusta /Margaret River and Busselton and is a two-lane undivided road. Theroad has several steep and winding sections which are also some of the most scenic on the Ridge. Assuch it complements the National Park and greatly adds to the experience of visitors in the area.Upgrading of the existing alignment through this section could cause extensive clearing of karri. TheNPNCA will support retention of the road on its existing alignment and regard it as a scenic touristroad. Rather than widening, the use of traffic management measures would be preferred.In the longer term it is recognised that Caves Road could need realignment through sections ofReserve 8434.ADJACENT LANDOWNERSAdjoining landowners make frequent demands for access through the National Park to theirproperties. Arrangements should be made with the local authorities, other adjacent landowners, and/orgazetted road reserves used. The National Park should not be viewed as a public access corridor toprivate land.VEHICLE ACCESS ON BEACHESThere are few beaches on the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge which are suitable for vehicle use. Theseasonal erosion of beach surfaces limits this activity to the summer/autumn period, and access tomany of the beaches is difficult. Further, the use of beaches by vehicles conflicts with other users in42