Will people ever learn? Bream Bay Dune Damage and hooning

[mike]

From the Doc site:

Unlawful Vehicle Users Apprehended at Bream Bay

19 jul 2006
The threat to public safety and natural values from unlawful vehicle use at Bream Bay continues to be a problem for the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the community.

DOC Rangers apprehended 6 people on trail-bikes this weekend after they were observed causing damage to threatened plants in the dunes of the Waipu Wildlife Reserve near Uretiti. Offending was also observed in the adjacent Conservation Areas to the north.

Programme Manager Biodiversity, Keith Hawkins, said, “Not only were the bikers and vehicles causing significant damage to dunes and wildlife habitat but there was also a considerable risk to other beach users.” DOC will be following up the matter and seeking legal advice.

Others members of the public, towing trailers, trucks and vans loaded with bikes were approached by Rangers at the beach access to prevent further offending. Pamphlets with maps and highlighting offences were handed out as a guide to vehicle users.

Offences relating to motor vehicles were widespread and most of the vehicles encountered did not display warrants of fitness or vehicle licences. One vehicle was seen fish tailing and spinning out of control at high speed along the beach. When approached by DOC staff it was discovered that the driver and his passengers had gone to the beach to do burn-outs and a report was lodged with the New Zealand Police.

A large number of complaints have been received by DOC relating to speeding vehicles on the beach and the risk to public safety. DOC Spokesperson, Reuben Williams, said, “The public are concerned that people driving on the beach don’t care about other beach users.” To protect themselves some families have resorted to digging trenches along the beach from the dunes to the waters edge in an effort to slow drivers down, and this has become a common practice at Bream Bay.

The Department of Conservation - Whangarei Area does not support the recreational use of vehicles on beaches at Bream Bay or at any other coastal areas that it administers. The only exceptions being surf life saving and emergency response needs or at designated boat launching locations.

The use of vehicles in some areas at Bream Bay is not permitted. These Areas have signs posted and more will be erected in the coming weeks. Users are required to check the legality of their activity before they enter onto public land, otherwise they face legal repercussions.

DOC’s law enforcement operation was the second in the last week and more have been planned leading into the summer period. The Department met with other agencies such as the NZ Police, Whangarei District Council and Northland Regional Council earlier this year to discuss the matter and their future involvement will be crucial.

The Bream Bay community have been extremely proactive, not only in reporting offences but also in the development of the Department’s Strategic Plan for the area. Recently dozens of community volunteers turned out for planting and fencing activities to show there support for the Uretiti car park development, which has help limit vehicle access.

Ends

[mroffroader]

Nope they never will mike and those few people that are stupid ruin it all for the rest of us

[access4WD]

Hi Mike
I am not usually able to browse the site during the day, Having an early lunch today as it is too wet to work at present (Bugger!) but saw this one come in from you. Had to respond, This is a HOT TOPIC of mine!

The situation DOC of the DOC report that you have posted, also happens here in Canterbury. Combined 4WD is very much involved both E-can & Doc on this very issue Pegasus Bay is getting issues with donuts in estuary areas, vehicles in the dunes and also Kaitorete Spit (Birdlings Flat). A lot of the trouble is motor bike and quads, however 4WD owners stray off the line as well.
Again without whining, the good work done by good 4WD people is torn to shreds by just one clown.
My appeal to 4WD people who act responsibly is when we see these types of activities going on, go up to them, and be polite (we are not Police just caring users) and just advise them that vehicles are only allowed on a beach below high water mark. Stick to the formed tracks when travelling from the road to the beach keep off and out of sand dunes, and also advise them the reason the public and responsible people are up in arms is due to the fact that these clowns will be the reason our beaches will be locked up FOREVER!

Cheers
Paul

[krawlr]

did anyone ask if the trail bike riders knew that they were in an out of bounds area

[Leithfield]

Pegasus Bay is getting issues with donuts in estuary areas, vehicles in the dunes and also Kaitorete Spit (Birdlings Flat). A lot of the trouble is motor bike and quads, however 4WD owners stray off the line as well.
Cheers
Paul

Perhaps DOC & ECAN could borrow a leaf from successful overseas programmes whereby honourary representatives are appointed from within the neighbouring communities of identified 'problem areas', with objective to raise awareness, educate access users, and monitor (not Police) activity.

Very much a case of 'by the community for the community'.

[needswork]

I confronted some bike riders once while fishing at Birdlings Flat, and did the old "do you know you should not be here" touch and they said there are no signs so who says we can't be here?
That is the issue some of them think it is open go where ever you like until either a sign or someone says STOP and with a motor bike or a 3 wheeler or quad they pretty well go anywhere.

I think Volunteer locals is a good idea even if it is just to educate people, as we don't really want the open dunes and such like littered with signage.
Couple of years ago during the Salmon Season the people fishing the Rangatata did that. seemed to work so may be worth a go.

[krawlr]

well thats news to me a family member has 2500 acres near there and as kids on bikes in the holidays we lived on those dunes and never got told it was a no no area,if any just had to watch out for the odd sea creature blending in with the sand.........but we soon got sick of that and havent been out there since had more fun on the farm......

but yeah pisses me off cos its a good play ground for bikes etc........but yeah it takes a couple of tossers to kill the fun for everyone

thats the trouble with the canty region unless you know loggers and can get access to ashley forrest etc there really aint much to offer and these clowns are just killing access to whats left to offer ,bloody bugger really.

[SupraLux]

I live at Leithfield Beach and my property backs on to the dunes and is also bordering Ashworths beach... a key conservation area in the Pegasus Bay area - and an area which is constantly getting hammered by inconsiderate use of motor vehicles (4WDs, trailbikes and CARS! (which, more often than not, I get asked to help recover...)

The area is voluntarily policed by locals and local members of coastcare - but I don't recall the last time I EVER saw a council or ECAN officer out there...

I've told a few people off for ripping over the vegitation out there... and there are big signs all over the place, including all the entrance points to the beach... so there really is no excuse.

Face it, 4WDs are cheap and the idiots that buy them to trash areas (normally areas they DON'T live in) probably would never come to a 4wd forum anyway (unless their truck broke and they wanted us to tell them how to fix it)... let alone join a club, so they'll never get the message here... we need to take it to them... the press needs to be more proactive in how they report 4WD abuse to target the people not the vehicles, and we all need to do our part in confronting idiots (sensibly - don't take on a drunken mob by yourself, etc) who are ruining it for all of us... best thing - take photos, call ECAN, the local council, DOC or the police.

Steve

Pegasus Bay is getting issues with donuts in estuary areas, vehicles in the dunes and also Kaitorete Spit (Birdlings Flat). A lot of the trouble is motor bike and quads, however 4WD owners stray off the line as well.
Cheers
Paul

Perhaps DOC & ECAN could borrow a leaf from successful overseas programmes whereby honourary representatives are appointed from within the neighbouring communities of identified 'problem areas', with objective to raise awareness, educate access users, and monitor (not Police) activity.

Very much a case of 'by the community for the community'.

[Leithfield]

I live at Leithfield Beach ... The area is voluntarily policed by locals and local members of coastcare - but I don't recall the last time I EVER saw a council or ECAN officer out there...

You need to get out more Steve (spending too much time liberating solid axles ) ... accompany me surfcasting just north of Ashworth's, whitebaiting @ the mouth of Saltwatercreek, and enjoy a few summer picnics @ North Pegasus Bay, for I can honestly attest to having seen representatives of both our District Council & ECAN.

[access4WD]

Thanks Leithfield and SupraLux for your comments.
The points raised are good ones.
Supralux is right rather than preach on the forum we need to get the message out there as a lot of the people causing the issues would not join this forum or a club.
True, yet we need to remind members so we network more as it is talking to other people that can help. Marketing people never underestimate the value of 'Word of mouth"

There is a move to get better signage and information into the public domain.
Combined 4WD Clubs have at their own cost had a sign campaign put together called:-
"You abuse it we all lose it"
This sign campaign will get up and away this spring, we will be getting signs out in key pressure areas in Canterbury, our hit list at present is:-
Pegasus Bay, Kaitorete Spit, Ashley River, Lake Sumner

Plus we are looking at other areas that need to be looked at so any thoughts will be appreciated.
Paul