East Coast Beach Vehicle Bylaw 2023 Review Consultation

Overview

Marlborough District Council is consulting on the future of the East Coast Beach Vehicle Bylaw (the Bylaw), which regulates motor vehicle use on beaches and unformed legal roads along Marlborough’s east coast, between the Awatere River and the southern district boundary.

The Bylaw was introduced following changes to the coastline caused by the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, which increased access to parts of the coast that were previously difficult or impossible to reach by vehicle. Since that time, a range of views have been expressed about how vehicle access should be managed and the extent to which it should balance public access and recreation with the protection of environmental, cultural and recreational values.

Council is now seeking community feedback on whether the Bylaw should be reviewed and, if so, what issues and outcomes the review should focus on. The accompanying Statement of Proposal provides background information on the Bylaw, its purpose, and the matters that have informed discussions about vehicle access on the east coast, including public safety, environmental values, coastal ecosystems, sites of significance to tangata whenua, and the natural character of the area.

Your feedback will help Council understand community views on how vehicle access to the east coast should be managed in the future and whether the current approach remains appropriate.

Further information 

Statement of proposal - East Coast Beach Vehicle Bylaw 2023 

East Coast Beach Vehicle Bylaw 2023 – Review and Scope of Review of Bylaw

Council webpage on the Bylaw