One line in a recent Ōtaki Mail article caught my eye — it’s the emphasised part below:
The Otaki Community Board … accepted a petition signed by 35 people asking Greater Wellington Council to expedite construction of a seaward extension bank where Marine Parade ends. … The seaward extension bank was around 100 metres, running from where the tarmac ends at the south end of Marine Parade down to the Otaki River mouth.
With “thousands of vehicle movements over it” the land had eroded over many years and had dropped down.
Source: Ōtaki Mail, October 2022, Page 24
Waikawa Beach also carries thousands of vehicle movements each year, especially the Miratana Track at the end of Manga Pirau Street.
We already have erosion problems thanks to wind and tide, but frequent vehicle trips don’t help. It would be a good thing if Horowhenua District Council were to adopt the Kāpiti Coast District Council Policy for Vehicles on the beach:
Kāpiti beaches are shared spaces – as a community, we want everyone to be able to enjoy them safely together.
Vehicles are not permitted on most beaches in Kāpiti.
Two-wheeled and off-road motorbikes are not permitted on any beach, foreshore or dune areas.
Exempted vehicles are:
- vehicles launching or retrieving boats in an authorised boat launching area
- land yachts/blocarts in the authorised area
- emergency and law enforcement vehicles
- lifesaving vehicles
- Council vehicles on official business.
That would still allow access for those who want to bring their fishing gear down or the family with picnic gear, while banning the trailbikes that create a nuisance and hazard, and reducing overall traffic movement.
