Source: Radio New Zealand
A Clutha District Council ranger talks to a motorist seen driving within metres of resting sea lions. The current rules state vehicles should stay 50m away from wildlife. RNZ/Peter de Graaf
Cries of “shame on you” rang out from the public gallery as Clutha councillors voted to drop an investigation into vehicle-free zones on beaches in the district on Wednesday afternoon.
The council is instead investigating beach speed limits as a means to protect the coastline and its wildlife, following complaints about drivers harassing seals and sea lions.
The review of the Vehicles on Beaches bylaw started a year ago after a group allegedly harassed a sea lion at Tautuku Beach in the Catlins.
In 2024, three sea lions were found dead with gunshot or stab wounds
Councillors opted to defer any decision-making until after October’s local elections. Then, at a workshop in December, the new council moved to cancel the beach ‘safe zone’ review.
That was formalised by a vote at Wednesday’s council meeting, where just one councillor was opposed.
Councillor Simon McAtamney said he was part of the previous council and he was still open to looking into the safe zone review.
Councillor Bruce Graham argued vehicle bans would be hard to enforce and there would always be “dickheads that are going to break those rules”.
“I can’t see any advantage of changing what we have here except for a speed limit changes… I can’t see any advantages of closing beaches or making safe zones,” he said.
Council staff said work was underway on a speed limit review covering the district’s beaches and it would be complete by October.
During the meeting, a group of residents could be seen in the back of the chamber holding a sign that read ‘Honour Your Word’.
When the council voted in favour of scrapping the review, the protesters called out “shame on you” and filed out of the council chambers.
Earlier, during public deputations, Papatowai Beach resident Keith Olsen argued the beach needed stronger protections to make it safe for all users – human and “non-human”.
The beach was home to ground-nesting birds such as oystercatchers and had a regular visiting elephant seal, he said.
Signage was not enough to prevent the dangerous use of vehicles on the beach, Olsen said.
“Just saying don’t be a dickhead doesn’t cut the mustard with the sort of people who are likely to be dickheads,” he said.
Papatowai resident Diana Noonan said some councillors had made important promises relating to the environment.
“I appeal to you today… that you remember your promises from the past and that you do not dishonour them,” she said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
