KEY POINTS:
Ways to protect Muriwai Beach users from motor vehicles will be discussed at a public meeting on March 30.
But a ban on vehicles using the 50km west coast beach is not on the agenda, said Auckland Regional Council visitor services manager Jane Aickin.
"The purpose is for the ARC and Rodney District Council to hear what beach users think should be in an urgent plan to improve vehicle management," she said.
Vehicle counts at two of the four public access points are considered in an ARC estimate that at least 750,000 people a year in vehicles are using the beach in the Woodhill Forest area.
Trail bikes, four-wheel-drives and cars share the area with people who are walking, bathing, exercising dogs, horse riding, mountain biking and fishing.
An example of conflict between uses was a dog attack this year in the regional park, in which three horse trek customers and their mounts were injured.
The councils, which manage public areas on the beach, have long been concerned about vehicle use.
But the risk to public safety was highlighted by the New Year's Eve tragedy in which 13-year-old Daisy Fernandez was struck and killed by a teenage cyclist as she and a friend sat on a Northland beach.
Muriwai area forest managers report ambulance staff attending visitors' accidents two or three times a week.
Ms Aickin's report to the regional and district councils backs ARC deputy chairwoman Christine Rose, who says "it's anarchy out there".
The report says deaths have occurred in the Te Oneone Rangatira part of the beach where four-wheel-drive vehicles have lost control.
Trail bikes jump over startled people in the sand dunes, people riding horses are confronted by vehicles and motorbikes and beach walkers, including children, share space with speeding vehicles and trail bikes doing "wheelies", it says.
Official signs are vandalised within 24 hours if they are seen as constraining activities. Fences are cut for access, and trees piled over entrances to block access are cleared with chainsaws.
Kumeu community constable Anna Crane said police had patrolled the beach at weekends for the past three months.
At first, pamphlets were handed out giving information on the rules. This was followed by enforcement, including the issuing of traffic tickets, mainly for not having vehicle registration and warrants of fitness.
"The report from the local community is that it has had a pacifying effect and the numbers are down as far as the more hoony element is concerned."
Ms Crane said she would be interested to hear opinions on what was a suitable speed limit on the beach.
"It is being patrolled as a 100km/h limit but driving to the conditions. There is debate over whether 60km/h to 70 km/h is a safe maximum speed driving to the conditions."
One of the groups which will be at the meeting is the Norwest Off Road Vehicle Club, which has 80 members.
President Rob Chisholm said: "It's a good first step to sorting things out. It's our backyard and it's one of the closest places to Auckland where you can go legally with a four-wheel-drive and a motorbike and it's not going to cost you.
"You just have to have respect for everybody else on the beach."
Mrs Rose said safety was a key issue, but there was also concern about destruction of dune ecosystems, coastal habitats and endangered wildlife.
PUBLIC MEETING
When: Sunday, March 30, at 2pm.
Where: Waimauku School.
What: How to make Muriwai Beach safer.
