The Kāpiti Council starts its annual summer beach patrols this weekend with assistance from the Police, warning people about where they can and cannot drive.
The difficulty may be in determining who has and who doesn’t have rights at the beach and it appears there may be a long list of exemptions that may make enforcement problematic.
Environmental Standards Manager Jacquie Muir says Council staff will be working closely with the Police to ensure that beaches are safe for all users, at all times.
Ms Muir says the stretch of beach from the Paraparaumu Boating Club north to Waikanae is the area most densely populated with walkers and people playing in the sand or water. She says this is why our beach bylaw restricts cars driving on that part of the beach.
“The only reason vehicles should be there is to launch or retrieve boats at designated spots or if they have specific permission to park for easier access.
Ms Muir says the Council will provide details of offenders who have previously been spoken to, and request that the Police issue infringements to them.
“The Council will provide details of offenders who have previously been spoken to, and request that the Police issue infringements to them.”
Under the Land Transport Act, the Council has no power to issue infringements for moving vehicle offences and it is up to the Police to enforce at their discretion.
For more information about beach safety, go to www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/Our-District/Beaches/beach-safety-over-summer.
