Auckland's Muriwai Beach could close to cars for good as council mulls options

Saturday, 10 April 2021

There are ongoing tensions between four-wheel drive owners and horse riders at Muriwai Beach. (File photo)

A popular Auckland beach could be closed permanently to cars under a new proposal.

Auckland Council is seeking feedback on “the future of vehicles” at Muriwai Beach, a surf beach on the region’s rugged west coast.

It is one of only two beaches in Auckland that allows people to drive on the sand, with a permit. The other is Karioitahi in the south.

A council document about the issue said there is a “long history of driving” on the beach, and “people come from afar to enjoy the experience”.

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There are increasing concerns about the behaviour of people who drive vehicles on Muriwai Beach in northwest Auckland. (First published December 2020)

However, there is “tension” between four-wheel drive owners and other users, including horse riders, and some locals feel “the beach is not safe or enjoyable”.

Concerns have also been raised about vehicles damaging the sand dunes, which are home to the rare Muriwai gecko.

People have also lodged complaints with the council about drivers' failure to stick to speed limits, crashes, and abandoned wrecks, the document said.

Thousands of people apply for permits to drive on Muriwai Beach every year.

Muriwai Beach was closed to vehicles over summer for the first time from December 23-January 10.

Rodney Local Board chairman Phelan Pirrie said at the time the decision was about safety and the risk of fire.

“This is an opportunity to limit vehicles in sensitive areas like the dunes and in the adjacent forest where summer fire risk is extremely high.”

The council document said there were 145 recorded fires at the beach and in the adjacent forest between 2015 and 2020.

Pirrie said over summer that when hundreds of people, including young children, were using the beach, removing vehicles from the mix was a “no-brainer”.

Auckland Council said in the 12 months leading up to June 2020, 2715 people had applied for and obtained a permit to drive on the beach.

However, that was estimated to be fewer than half of the actual number of vehicles that accessed it.

Currently, vehicles can access the beach via Coast Rd, Rimmer Rd, and Wilson Rd.

The council has proposed three options: Restricting vehicle access to the beach at peak times, such as the Christmas/New Year period and Guy Fawkes, controlling access to paid permit holders through gated entrances, or permanently closing all three access points.

There would be exceptions for surf lifesaving and other emergency services vehicles in all three scenarios.

Members of the public can give feedback on the plan until May 7.

Public meetings will also be held at the Waimauku War Memorial Hall on April 15, the South Head Golf Club on April 22, and the Muriwai Surf Club on April 27. All three will run from 7pm-9pm.

The outcome of the consultation will then be presented at the council’s arts, community and events committee meeting on July 8.