Beach bylaw review

This year we are reviewing the Kāpiti Coast District Council Beach Bylaw.

Consultation on an updated Kāpiti Coast District Council Beach Bylaw is now closed. Formal consultation is required by the Local Government Act 2002 and follows a period of discussion with the community on how our beaches are managed in the best way for everyone. The consultation period ran for five weeks until 13 November. Hearings will be held in late November.

You can find out more by reading the Statement of Proposal, which outlines the proposed changes.

Something to remember

Several agencies play roles in managing beaches:

• Waikanae Scientific Reserve Bylaw is managed by the Department of Conservation
• Proposed Natural Resources Plan is managed by Greater Wellington Regional Council
• 'manner of driving' offences and driving in breach of Beach Bylaw rules are enforceable through the Land Transport Act 1998; the police are the only enforcement authority who have the ability to manage those offences
• the Kāpiti Coast District Council Beach Bylaw protects beach users from harm and nuisance.

Beach Bylaw 2009 Summary: How are our beaches protected and managed?

The Kāpiti Coast District Council Beach Bylaw 2009 is designed to help manage what people do on the beach and protect the beach environment. It’s an important set of rules and guidelines aimed at supporting the goals of the Kāpiti Coastal Strategy:

“That the environment and lifestyle values that have always attracted people to the area are protected and enhanced and the historical, geological and cultural values are preserved”.

After 10 years of the current bylaw being in place, and in accordance with legislation, we’re reviewing the bylaw to make sure it is fit-for-purpose for the next decade.

The Beach Bylaw is one of a several pieces of national, regional and local rules that govern our coastal environment. It works with and is subject to a range of rules under transport, marine and conservation Acts, regional council regulations and customary rights provisions. The Police and Fire and Emergency also play a role on New Zealand beaches.

So what is the Beach Bylaw and what does it do?

You can find the full document here but the Beach Bylaw covers a range of activities, including:

• How people behave on the beach 
• Dumping litter or green waste on the beach is unacceptable
• Horse riding 
• Harvesting sand, stones and wood 
• Life Saving
• Vehicles
• Trading on the beach and events.

Results by ward are available below:

• Ōtaki Ward Results
• Paekākāriki–Raumati South Ward Results
• Paraparaumu–Raumati Ward Results
• Waikanae Ward Results

Beach Bylaw review – timeline:

• January to February 

  Pre-consultation survey and engagement
• July to August

  Further community engagement and feedback review
• September to mid-October

  Analysis and development of changes
• 12 October to 13 November

  Formal consultation
• Late November to early December 2020

  Hearings and deliberations
• February to March 2021

  Council Report: Adoption of Beach Bylaw 2021