"What a joke," he said.
Wairarapa principal rural fire officer Phill Wishnowsky said in his submission that the fire pits would exacerbate the problems with fires the fire service already has.
Even with fire bans, signage and a council ranger policing fires, people still light fires illegally, said Ian Hunter of Tora Rural Fire Force. Fire pits would encourage more illegal fires, he said.
Pamela Bruce, who has a bach in Ngawi, said the fire pits would cause more trouble than they are worth.
"I am totally against fire pits at Ngawi, we spend a good part of the year with a fire ban. The risk of fire in such a windy and dry location is high"
The council indicated it is likely to take the fire pits out of the plans.
A submission made by Daniel Riddiford who farms Te Awaiti station, said there should be no camping at Te Awaiti reserve and if there is, a fee should be charged.
"I believe that no other councils in the greater Wellington regional area provide free camping at the expense of ratepayers," he said.
He said camping at the reserve encourages illegal fishing at night and if a fee was charged there would be less of it.
"Frequently I and staff have been compelled to confront illegal fishermen on unmarked quads carrying sacks bulging with illegal and highly valuable paua," Mr Riddiford said.
The council said it didn't have any jurisdiction over fishing and it is the responsibility of the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Many submitters asked the council to address the amount of rubbish left behind by campers at the reserves.
They said bins often overflowed with rubbish and asking visitors to take their rubbish with them did not work.
Mr Holter said locals ended up picking up rubbish even when bins are provided. "To remove the bins would be short-sighted to say the least," he said.
Johny Shaw, a frequent camper at Te Awaiti, said the council is starting to realise the potential of the campsite.
"The council should not let land holders dictate circumstances as they do at the moment."
"Lets make our rugged coast available to everyone."
Lachie McLeod, chairman of the Ngawi Ratepayers Association said the council will need to provide the infrastructure to support more visitors.
More toilets and rubbish bins are needed, he said.
Oral submissions on the Coastal Reserves Management and Development Plans will be heard tomorrow.
