The speed limit on Goolwa Beach will be reduced to 40km/h by the start of the busy summer tourist season. It is currently 100km/h.

Vehicles are permitted on the part of the beach that stretches from the onramp near the Surf Life Saving Club to the mouth of the River Murray.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) has made the change after considerable lobbying by the Alexandrina Council.

The council has been concerned for sometime about the safety of pedestrians on the beach. Many people park near the dunes and children then have to cross the pathway of other vehicles to get to the water.

Goolwa Beach is a popular location for 4WD, especially during school holidays and long weekends.

The 12-kilometre beach runs from Goolwa all the way to the Murray Mouth with many open spaces used for recreational activities such as fishing and swimming.

Although a shared environment for many activities, there have been ongoing concerns with vehicles traveling at speed so close to people and wildlife. 

Racehorses are often trained in the same space and Birds SA has raised the issue of wildlife safety.

DIT says it has provided approval for the new speed limit to improve safety for all beach users.

The Alexandrina Council will be required to install and maintain the relevant signage. It says signage will include the changed speed limit on Beach Road, the entry to the access track and as people enter the beach from the access track. 

The 40kph speed limit and drive to conditions signage will be installed in the coming weeks, in the lead up to the busy summer period on Goolwa beach. 

The council says further improvements to the beach entrance are scheduled as part of Master Plan works for the Goolwa Beach Car Park and Environment project currently underway. ⁠

Improvements will include significant changes to the car park and flow of traffic utilising a slip lane onto the beach access ramp. Details are online.

DIT says it will also also investigate whether the safety on other beaches in the state may benefit from a speed limit change.