The 31 May 2023 Agenda (10MB PDF) for the next Horowhenua District Council Ordinary Meeting makes for interesting reading as it includes deliberations on reports such as the Rates Review and Activities.
Page 54 has a graph showing that around 15 submissions on the Long-term Plan Amendment came from Waikawa Beach.
Vehicles on beach north of the river
On Pages 130 and following is Topic 6: Vehicular access to beaches between Waikawa Beach and Hokio Beach:
Regan Savage (#34).
Summary of Submissions
9.2 Submitter #34 would like to see vehicles prohibited north of the Waikawa Stream mouth at Waikawa Beach to Hokio Beach. The submitter advises it is a sensitive dune system and allows numerous birds to nest safely.
Officer Analysis
9.3 Officers note the submission and thank submitter #34 for the submission.
9.4 Currently vehicles are allowed on the beach with emphasis placed on education of users rather than Council looking to prohibit access. The majority of users are understanding of the fact that they are recreating in a sensitive space and tend to treat the environment with the respect it deserves.
9.5 Should Council in the future look to restrict vehicular access to its beaches this would be a matter well-advertised in advance with a commitment to a wide-ranging consultation that considered the full spectrum of views.
Recommendations
9.6 That Council acknowledges, with thanks, the submission from Regan Savage.
Actions
9.7 No actions required.
A footpath by Manakau Domain
On Page 131 we find Topic 7: Improvements to Manakau Domain. There's a lot in there but it includes a request for a multi-modal pathway on the northern side of Waikawa Beach Road to allow easy and safe access for all locals and encourage greater usage
and a safe connection across State Highway 1 to connect Manakau Village and School to the Domain
.
Barriers to keep vehicles off dunes
On Page 135, Topic 11: The Manawatu Estuary Ramsar Site, Dr RH Hoskins:
asks that Council allocate sufficient funds to construct robust barriers to prevent vehicular access to dunes, remove invasive exotic weed species, and replant with native plant species to better protect this area.
Dr Hoskins mentioned Waikawa Beach in his submission.
In its response, the Council mentions:
For the last 8-10 years council has been planting around 20,000 Spinifex and Pingau plants at this beach site and other sites at Waitarere and Waikawa Beach. This process is set to continue into the future developing much needed resiliency into the dune system by way of reducing the impact of storms and high-tides that lead to localised erosion
14.7 … two Freedom Camping and Open Space Ambassadors who were tasked with engaging and educating people taking vehicles onto the dune areas. Council is currently writing a number of bylaws one of which will consider the administration and management of the foreshore (dune) environment. The Bylaw will consider matters in relation to vehicle access to the beach.
Topic 12: Coastal Sand Dunes
On Page 136 Dr Hoskins seeks better protection of all sand dunes in Horowhenua as vehicles have continuously destroyed a number of dunes across the district
.
The Council's response again mentions a set of draft bylaws aimed at enhancing the Council's authority in managing its dune network. These bylaws will specifically address concerns related to vehicle access, although a complete ban on vehicular access is not anticipated to be recommended at this stage
.
Waikawa Beach budget allocations
On Page 180, Deliberations Report 6 - Financial Matters there is a list of Changes proposed to the capital programme.
One line item is Develop new vehicle access to Waikawa Beach
. This has been on the books for a while now and it comes in at $310,000 in 2023/24. That's probably the amount allowed for the research and consultation currently being undertaken by Boffa Miskell.
There's another item though that, it turns out, is left over from the original Long-Term Plan: Waikawa Beach walkway, at $250,000 in 2023/24 and $238,000 in 2024/2025.
This was queried two years ago. See HDC Long-Term Plan and a new Waikawa Beach walkway for more information. One stated purpose was environmental protection:
… minimise erosion/wear and tear to the back-dunes which have formed a relatively stable ecology
It's good to see the Council willing to put money towards maintaining and enhancing our environment, but this particular project has unclear origins and probably zero local support.
It'll be interesting to see the outcomes of the HDC meeting to be held on 31 May 2023.
