Recreational horse riding may be banned from Tuapiro Pt, near Katikati

Horse riders say signage in the Tuapiro Pt area is 'confusing'. Photo / Max Christoffersen

Recreational horse riding may be banned from Tuapiro Pt, near Katikati, following a bylaw review.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council policy planning and regulatory services group manager Rachael Davie said damage to the reserve by horses drove council's decision to review the bylaw.

"The Regional Coastal Environment Plan identifies the need to avoid significant damage to the coastal environment, particularly where this impacts public health and significant cultural sites such as kaimoana beds, which is why we're proposing this change."

Council had received reports from hapū including incidents of environmental damage with horses riding through the area of pines and the wahi tapu site. Concerns were also raised about the "potential" trampling effect of horses on shellfish and damage of the saltmarsh on the western side of the spit. Horses defecating in the coastal marine area around shellfish and titiko beds were also areas of concern.

In response to the bylaw review, a group of concerned horse riders from Tauranga and Western Bay had set up a Facebook group called Recreational Horse Riders BOP to make a submission to the council about the proposed changes.

At a public meeting in Katikati last weekend to discuss the coming bylaw change many of the members of the Facebook group present expressed concern about signage at Tuapiro Pt and information about riding areas which they said was confusing.

Spokeswoman Lisa Coulson said all riders had misunderstood the permitted riding areas identified in formal council notifications.

"We all thought the yellow [mapped] areas were a general guideline, and that we were to ride on, or outside those areas and ideally below the high tide mark. We have always thought the only areas we were not permitted to ride on were the forest and the grass area between the horse floats and the forest."

Coulson said the horse riding community was keen to work together with hapū and council to arrive at a workable solution.

Currently, council is following a seven week special consultative procedure (four weeks being the legislative requirement). There will be two further open days (one each in Waihi Beach and Paengaroa) for potential submitters to seek information on the proposed bylaw change.

Western Bay of Plenty District mayor Garry Webber said council was following due process.

"Identification of beaches where horse riding could be permitted was a key issue in the last review of this bylaw [in 2012], and since then there has been periodic monitoring and education on the bylaw provisions onsite with horse riders by council staff."

Webber said there had also been correspondence between council and horse riding clubs to notify them of local hapū concerns on the use of Tuapiro Pt by horse riders.

"It's pleasing that members of the horse riding community have expressed a desire to understand all perspectives on Tuapiro Pt. To this end, council is organising a meeting between council, horse riding representatives and tangata whenua."

Hearings will be held in July for those who wish to speak to their submission.

To find out more and to make a submission about the proposed Reserves and Facilities Bylaw change and the proposed new Lund Rd area (part of the Katikati/Waihi Beach Reserve Management Plan) visit haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz.
Information days will be held at:
■Paengaroa Community Hall, June 16 from 9am to midday
■Supper Room, Waihi Beach Community Centre, June 23 from 9am to midday
Feedback closes on July 9.