Marlborough District Council has voted unanimously on Thursday to seek public feedback on whether to review its East Coast Beach Vehicle Bylaw, introduced in 2023 to safeguard coastal sand dunes that provide habitat for locally endemic species.
A January report to councillors documented extensive non-compliance with the bylaw, including 156 return trips in a red zone where vehicles are prohibited, captured between 11 December and 7 January. Mayor Nadine Taylor described the breaches as "ecological vandalism".
The council currently cannot issue fines and instead uses signage and staff to redirect people from restricted areas. General counsel Setareh Masoud-Ansari told councillors infringement notices would only be used as a final option if the review goes ahead. Public consultation runs from 24 July to 28 August.