The Super City amalgamation curtailed ARC’s plan, as there were other more pressing priorities.
Fast forward to the September 2021 parks, arts, community and events committee and the final item on the agenda: Future management of motorised vehicles driving on Muriwai Beach.
Local residents - who admitted driving on Muriwai beach themselves - complained of hoon behaviour and said vehicles were bad for the environment, citing the trashing of sand dunes, crushing shellfish beds and potentially killing shorebirds that nest on the beach or dunes.
Locals also claimed some drivers were using the beach like a highway, minus the police patrols or safety barriers.
Council officers, after consultation with the residents, 4WD clubs and an environmental group, went to the parks committee with four options, including seasonal closures (option 2), controlled access (option 3) or closed access (option 4).
The Joint Agency Muriwai Management Group, made up of Police, Auckland Transport, Department of Conservation, Ngā Maunga Whakahii o Kaipara Ngahere Ltd, Hancock Forestry, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Surf Life Saving Northern Region and Muriwai Volunteer Lifeguard Service, recommended option 3. They argued that it would enable other users to enjoy an area previously dominated by vehicles and would improve visitor safety by limiting the number of vehicles on the beach, The main negative was seen as administrative costs.
It was probably the right decision to make at that time, but the death last week of another young person should signal it’s time for a change. And the rethink should not end here - other beaches, such as Karioitahi Beach near Waiuku, face the same problem and the same risk of a fatal outcome if we don’t act soon.
