Received 21st January 2009

VEHICLE ACCESS IN FRONT
OF THE SURF CLUB

Hi

I see on your website that you are seeking comments on beach matters.

Could I make the following please:

Re Beach motor vehicle access

I read in the press where the presence of a Police Officer and the volunteers have made a difference to vehicle behavior over the Christmas period.

Whilst I agree they are doing a good job, and I applaud them for that, their inability to be present 24/7 still leaves lots of opportunities for the hoons to “perform”.

I know this is not a new idea, but why do we not press for a partial beach closure to prohibit through traffic.

Could the beach not be closed to vehicles just south of the area where the Surf Club patrols, to just north of the Windsor Street access.

This would allow families to have a vehicle free area where children can play safely without the constant fear of speeding vehicles and still have ample opportunity to park close to where they wish to relax if they choose.

Thanks for the opportunity

Warren

7th January 2009

Manawatu Standard

The word from the beach

Micaela Rutene, mother of four pre-school children, camping at Waitarere Beach from Wellington. "We have small children and we like being able to drive on to the beach. It might need more monitoring to make it safer. But we can take all their gear down to the beach in the car and that's great."

Helen Logan, lives in Paraparaumu but has a new family bach at Waitarere Beach. "I am a bit wary of the vehicles on the beach, especially when we had small children. It depends how fast people are going and needs good police monitoring."

Steve Logan from Paraparaumu, holidaying at Waitarere Beach. "I quite like cars on the beach. You can take all the kayaking and fishing gear down. As long as it is sign posted really well. If there are no hoons, there doesn't seem to be a problem."

Liam Grattan, Waitarere Beach lifeguard. "It's not so much of a problem with cars going up and down the beach when the tide is out. . . . but when it is high tide there is less room for vehicles and people. If people hoon around, we pass on information to the police. Banning vehicles where people swim and play on the beach is not such a bad idea."

Catherine Hart, from Levin, was in her car with some friends at the beach: "Cars on the beach? I love it. It's too far to walk if you don't have a vehicle. I'm generally okay with cars on the beach as long as they take it easy and don't speed."

Received 6th January 2009

WAITARERE BEACH LITTER SITUATION

Hi

I have been lucky enough to come to this fabulous beach for the last 10 ten years, we travel down from Auckland looking forward to the rustic surroundings, peaceful and clean environment , and sunsets, that are world beaters. Don’t hold the Auckland thing against me, I am originally from Woodville!

This year, I have been absolutely appalled at the rubbish left on the beach. Yes, in the past, there has been some rubbish left or washed up, but this year, it has been out right disgusting. The first day I arrived I picked up 15 bottles in one area of the beach, this has been prolific right up and down the beach. Then my Aunt and Uncle dropped in to have a swim on New Year’s morning and we were tripping over about 40 beer bottles within a metre.

Today, I won’t even mention what I picked up, another disgusting experience and only could wish I had caught the culprits myself, they wouldn’t be alive now!

I am not a prude, it wasn’t that long ago, I spent time with my friends, playing games, drinking and partying on the beach, but we never left anything intentionally behind, for someone else to pick up, stand on, or be disgusted by.

So why is there such a difference now, why is so hard for any of these people to get rid of their rubbish. Why have we got all of these extra rubbish facilities, like plentiful rubbish bins, recycling areas, Transfer Stations something unheard of a few years ago, so many facilities and yet more rubbish on the beach than ever before. Or is it simply, the ignorance of not knowing that they are doing anything wrong by leaving their rubbish on the beach?

Now, I know I am showing my age, but, we were encouraged to be a ‘Tidy Kiwis’ and even gained and proudly wore ‘Tidy Kiwi Badges’ they stuck out like dogs balls and everyone noticed and commented on them, but as kids were hugely proud. Did this respect for New Zealand come from our parents or from our school, both I suspect, something we still treasure now.

I would really like to help eliminate this disgusting mess here, yes I walk up and down the beach everyday collecting rubbish. But what else can we do? As I don’t know that many people here, how else is the problem been tacked? What are the police doing?

Throwing out rubbish in public places shows no respect for New Zealand.

Kind regards
Rachael