A boom gate may be installed at the Goolwa Beach on-ramp, along with signage requesting drivers to slow to 25 km/h around pedestrians.

Council is investigating the cost and feasibility of installation after receiving reports of a child being clipped by a car, a number of recent near misses on the beach and ongoing traffic issues.

Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes wrote to Transport Minister Corey Wingard before Christmas, asking for the 100km/h speed limit on Goolwa Beach to be lowered.

As of this morning, he had still not received a response from the Minister’s office.

Mayor Parkes told ABC Radio in December that the 100km/h speed limit was “crazy” and that a 40km/h limit was much more appropriate.

As the Fleurieu App reported at the time, the Department of Infrastructure and Transport’s guidelines state that the default speed limit on most beaches (where vehicles are permitted) is 100km/h, unless the area is immediately adjacent to a built-up area.

The issue of drivers ignoring the 4WD only signs and getting bogged on the sandy ramp has continued to cause traffic problems and frustration over the summer.

Image: The line up of traffic trying to exit Goolwa Beach on New Years Day

Council will now investigate the cost of installing a boom gate at the top of the beach on-ramp to try to limit the access to the beach to four-wheel-drive traffic only.

They will also work with SA Water to improve the signage along the beach and encourage drivers to drive at 25 km/h in areas where there are pedestrians.

In a motion passed by council this week, Councillor Melissa Rebbeck said, “There have been a number of near misses on Goolwa Beach due to speedy traffic and hoon driving".

“People have been regularly complaining to Goolwa Surf Life Savers about the speed of traffic.”

“The current speed limit on the beach is 100km/hour when people, children and animals are present and on the beach. A young girl was clipped recently on the beach.

“The noise of the wind and waves makes it hard to hear the noise of cars.

“People are driving further down the beach to get away from traffic, but then it makes it more dangerous if something were to happen to them in the water further down or if they were injured by a car.

“There is an SA Police (SAPOL) report with a number of recent incidences on the beach due to speedy traffic. 

"Unfortunately, SAPOL do not have the numbers to regularly police the beach. In any case cars can still speed.”

Goolwa resident and Neighbourhood Watch Member Sally Townsley reported seeing three children "almost get cleaned up" by a car at the bottom of the on-ramp earlier this week.

Like many residents she has been advocating for some time for improved safety for beach goers and wildlife.

Works to upgrade the Goolwa Beach carpark are due to start in the next few weeks.