28 October 2009: Regionwide news     
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Beach blitz to manage vehicles gets set for summer

This summer's campaign to manage vehicles on beaches will drive home safety messages and speed restrictions.
This summer's campaign to manage vehicles on beaches will drive home safety messages and speed restrictions.

Muriwai Beach and Te Oneone Rangatira, along with other problem beaches, will once again be blitzed by Auckland Regional Council (ARC) and other agencies this summer to manage the use of vehicles on this busy stretch of coast.

ARC staff and the New Zealand Police are already at work, ensuring that anyone driving on the beach is following the rules.

Muriwai park manager Scott De Silva says deaths and injuries to drivers and riders, and other beach users, as well as damage to the environment and dunes, have led to the safety crackdown.

"We want a safe summer. The beach is shared by many different users at all times. This is a priority for us," he says.

The ARC's ranger team will carry out an education and awareness campaign, together with partner agencies: the police, Department of Conservation (DOC), local councils, local iwi, the New Zealand Defence Force, forest managers and community groups.

"A dedicated education officer will join the team for the summer to focus on this issue," says Scott De Silva. "As well as information days, posters and advertising, we will concentrate on shutting down illegal access points."

Police will enforce safe driving and speed restriction rules.

Sergeant Mick Rickards, from Kumeu, says, "Throughout the coming months, New Zealand Police and ARC rangers will be patrolling the beach. Anyone found in breach of the driving rules can be charged on the spot or at a later date through photographic evidence."

Monitoring of the environmental effects of vehicle use will also continue when the summer campaign starts in November.

A reminder of the rules

  • North of the Coast Road access point, the speed limit is 30km/h to just beyond Okiritoto Stream and 60km/h after that.
  • You can only drive south of the Coast Road access point to launch or retrieve a boat.
  • Coast Road (from Muriwai township) and Rimmer Road (from Woodhill Forest) are the beach access points.
  • There is no access to the New Zealand Defence Force bombing range or DOC's Papakanui Spit at the far end of the beach.
  • The sand dunes are strictly off-limits.
  • All road rules apply on the beach, including wearing seatbelts and helmets, and having a valid WOF and registration.
  • There is no vehicle access to beaches in other regional parks.