Coast road decision aims to keep all users happy

Compromises seldom satisfy everyone, but a decision reached by the council on use of the Pencarrow Coast Road should go some way towards that elusive goal.

Last month, the city development committee decided to increase the number of daily return journeys by Pencarrow Lodge vehicles from five to 10, while also signalling a clampdown on illegal road users, a source of complaint among many of the 257 who made submissions on the policy change. Councillors unanimously agreed to the change after the lodge’s owners said the present limit would restrict visits by their chief source of business, cruise ship passengers, whose numbers have grown significantly in recent years.

“When the policy was first adopted, there were around 20 cruise ships visiting,” says committee chairman Roger Styles. “Next year there are expected to be almost 100 visiting Wellington.”

Other commercial users of the road have also been permitted an increase to 10 return vehicle journeys a day, while landowner/ farming movements remain unrestricted. He says the committee originally proposed unlimited vehicle use for the lodge, but after hearing public submissions it decided to increase the quota by a set amount.

He says the new policy strikes a balance between competing uses of the road, providing for recreational use by walkers and cyclists, while recognising that not everyone is able to make the trip on foot.

“Many of the cruise ship visitors are elderly and a package coach trip is the only practical means of visiting. The revised policy is about showcasing the area while managing effects. A policy of ‘share with care’ ought to be encouraged, where all users of the road are aware of other users and act courteously."

Mayor Ray Wallace says the decision balances the need to make the most of the economic opportunities presented by increased cruise ship numbers while ensuring the natural beauty of the area and the safety of road users are maintained. Many of the 30 submitters at the council meeting on April 26 expressed concern at the number of illegal drivers crossing sensitive beach areas, damaging bird nesting sites and poaching.

As an initial step to counter that, the council has placed 12 tonnes of rock along points where 4WD vehicles use Wainuiomata Coast Road to reach the Pencarrow Coast Road. Another 36 tonnes will extend the barrier against unauthorised users. Enforcement measures will also be stepped up.

The mayor says that to take advantage of the policy change, Pencarrow Lodge’s owners will still have to apply for a variation to the conditions of their 1999 resource consent.