Beach Bylaw review

Council has now adopted the Kapiti Coast District Council Beach Bylaw 2021, and these rules come into effect on 1 June 2021.

A formal consultation, as required by the Local Government Act, followed a period of discussion with the community on how our beaches are managed in the best way for everyone. There were 458 submissions received. The range of views was diverse and in some cases almost evenly split.

You can read the summary of submissions and see the final analysis and recommendations here.

The consultation feedback helped Council understand people’s views or concerns about the proposals put forward in the Statement of Proposal, in October 2020. You can find out more by reading the Statement of Proposal.​​ 

The updated Bylaw will be uploaded and available as soon as possible, but some of the changes the community needs to be aware of include:

1. Lowering the minimum infringement offence fine from $750 to $150 for driving on a beach where you are not permitted. The Police are the enforcement authority for moving vehicle offences and this fine is more aligned to other fines they issue.
2. Establishing parking restrictions on the beaches where you are not permitted to drive on the current rules. This will deter people from driving and then parking on the beach where they are not permitted. Council Compliance Officers are warranted to issue fines to vehicles breaching these parking restrictions.
3. The creation of locations where longline fishing off the beach is restricted in the summer period (from 15 December to 15 February, between 10am-5pm).
4. The reduction of the period in which horse riding is restricted on the beach (the restriction is now several months shorter, now running from 15 December to 15 February, between 10am-5pm).

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”.

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.

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