Tokerau Beach warden programme withdrawn by council

The voluntary beach wardens at Tokerau/Whatuwhiwhi have reportedly done a great job of deterring visitors from breaching the FNDC's camping rules, but have now lost council approval.

Bad news has not travelled fast for the Tokerau Beach Whatuwhiwhi Residents' and Ratepayers' Association.

It has heard, in roundabout fashion, that the Far North District Council has withdrawn approval for the beach warden programme it has been running for the last three summers.

Association chairman Brian Page said his immediate question was "Why now?" closely followed by "When did they plan to tell us?"

He had only discovered that council had been withdrawn when Te Hiku Community Board member Laurie Atkinson showed him a council memo, dated September 4, stating that the appointment of wardens had been suspended on the understanding that there was no formal process, training or co-ordination.

"Council requires a clear policy on community volunteers and supporting arrangements before formalising activities of this nature, with due consideration of the associated risks," it added.

"This has come as a bombshell," Mr Page said.

"Here we are, coming up to the summer holiday season, and we hear on the grapevine that our beach wardens can't do their job."

Two retired local men had been providing the service, with council support, focusing on the speed of traffic on the beach and illegal camping. They, and the association, had always understood that they had no powers, but their mere presence, and having a quiet word with anyone who was causing concern, had improved both traffic and camping issues markedly.

"They've been doing a great job," Mr Page said.

"They've been getting compliments, and there has never been any sort of confrontation. In fact they avoid confrontation. They're not there to lay down the law, but to help people enjoy themselves safely.

"It will be chaos without them. And it won't take long for word that they are not there to get around.

"We know the council's bound by legislation, but why couldn't they talk to us? We have been doing this for three years with no safety issues, and suddenly we hear that we can't do it any more."

Mr Atkinson was equally perplexed. The wardens had cost ratepayers very little, the council providing hi-vis vests and training.

Duties had included locking and unlocking the gate giving vehicle access to the Ramp Road reserve, as a successful deterrent to freedom campers.

The wardens were to have been on duty from Christmas week through to late January/early February.

Mayor John Carter said yesterday that now that he was aware of the issue, he, Mr Atkinson and council staff would be seeking a resolution.