Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com
If you’re planning a Coromandel beach holiday with your four-legged friend this summer, check the signs before heading onto the sand.
New summer dog restrictions are now in force across some of the Coromandel’s most popular beaches, with visitors risking fines if they fail to follow the rules.
The Thames-Coromandel District Council has reintroduced seasonal controls at beaches including Whangamatā, Hāhei, Buffalo Beach and Matarangi. Some areas that previously allowed dogs to roam freely will now require them to be kept on a lead, while others will have outright bans during peak periods.
The restrictions began over Labour Weekend and remain in place until March 1, with additional rules applying between December 20 and January 31 during the busiest part of the holiday season.
Council Group Manager of Regulatory and Planning Brian Taylor said the restrictions are designed to protect vulnerable wildlife and ensure beaches remain enjoyable for everyone.
“Restrictions from Labour Weekend to March 1 apply in some locations to protect vulnerable wildlife, particularly during the dotterel nesting season,” Taylor said.
He said the summer holiday restrictions also reflect the huge increase in beach users over the Christmas and New Year period.
“There can be children playing, people swimming and eating, balls being thrown and lots of other activities happening in the same space, so having large numbers of dogs exercising there at the same time isn’t always a good mix.”
For Matarangi residents, the seasonal rules are nothing new. Matarangi Ratepayers and Residents Association spokesman Mark Bedford said the town’s population can swell from around 1,200 people to as many as 10,000 over summer.
“The last thing people need when they’re sunbathing or lying on the beach is having to worry about dogs pooing everywhere,” he said.
Beachgoers are being urged to watch for colour-coded signs. Green means dogs may be off-lead if under control, orange requires dogs to be on a lead, and red means no dogs allowed.
With thousands expected to flock to Coromandel’s famous white sand beaches this summer, officials are hoping both dog owners and non-dog owners can enjoy the coastline without stepping on each other’s toes. Or worse.
