Confusion over Bells bus traffic

By Cherie Donnellan
TOUR buses could be illegally entering Bells Beach Surfing Reserve after councillors passed new licensing laws last month, according a community group.
Bells Beach Preservation Society said it had legal advice buses should stay out of the reserve until council had issued licences.
Surf Coast councillors voted last month to implement a licensing system charging buses visiting Bells $2 a passenger.
But preservation society president Maurice Cole said buses were still entering the reserve.
Council had broken its promise of bylaws officers patrolling the reserve to fine illegally-parked buses, he said.
“Our advisers told us insurance companies won’t pick up the bill if there’s an accident while the buses are unlicensed.
“From a safety perspective, all buses should be banned from Bells until licences are issued, otherwise taxpayers bear the brunt of the risk.”
Mr Cole said preservation society members were “angry” council had failed to enact its new laws.
Council had also failed to provide the society with an explanation, he said.
Go West Bus Tours managing director Terry Smit said the shire had yet to inform him of its licensing decision.
“The last time we heard from Surf Coast Shire was when they held an information night to tell us they were considering the charges. We didn’t know a decision had been made.
“We were told the proposed fee would be $2.40 by 2013, so we were already evaluating whether visiting Bells is worthwhile for our customers. We feel there are other places along the coast where we might feel more welcome.”