Protecting Pegasus Bay

Stay off the dunes and wet areas

Motor vehicles and motor bikes disturb the stability of the dunes.  Once sand is moved, the dunes take a long time to recover due to difficult plant-growing conditions. Erosion of the dunes and flooding of coastal farmland and settlements can occur.

Keep on the access tracks and approved beach areas

The dunes and wetlands are full of wildlife. Stay on the tracks and you will avoid hurting nesting and roosting birds.

Keeping to approved vehicle tracks also makes it safer for other users of the beach.

Stick to the hard sand (below the hightide line)

Other beach users can see you coming on the hard sand and your vehicle is less likely to get stuck.

Protecting Pegasus Bay

The Northern Pegasus Bay Motor Vehicle Access Strategy was produced in 2002 in response to:

• Growing public concern about the fragility of dunes and wetlands in the bay.
• Public safety
• The health of dune ecosystems
• Wildlife that resides along the coast.

The strategy has not been fully adopted, but when it is, bylaws restricting vehicle access to parts of Pegasus Bay are likely.

Environment Canterbury, Christchurch City Council, the Department of Conservation, and the Hurunui and Waimakariri District Councils, ask vehicle users to avoid damaging the dunes, wetlands and their vegetation by keeping to approved vehicle access tracks and hard sand areas.

Separate regulations apply to Christchurch City beaches.

Remember:

• Vehicles travelling along the beach have to follow the same safety rules as for a public road.
• Do not drive through Surf Patrol areas.