Bylaw proposal bans dogs on Kumaras walkway

September 21st, 2012
[by David Armstrong]

The council has drafted a bylaw "to help to ensure the safety and freedom from nuisance for persons using Tasman’s Great Taste Trail" and is now asking for public comment and submission on the Great Taste Trail Bylaw 2012.

For Motueka people, one major issue is the proposed banning dogs from a section of the Kumara walkway, off the end of Staples Street through to the northern end of the golf course.

The bylaw seeks to impose some restrictions on use of the trail by dogs and horses, as well as a requirement for the safe use of the trail within the Spooners Tunnel.

It says dogs have the potential to disturb bird habitat on the trail, and create challenges for cyclists and walkers if they are uncontrolled. Dogs will not be allowed where the trail crosses private property as these owners have specified that dogs will not be permitted on their land.

The proposed allowance of dogs on other parts of the trail varies. The explanatory notes attached to the draft bylaw say this is dictated by:

The Tasman District Council Dog Control Bylaw 2009, which does allow for some areas in Tasman where dogs can be exercised. These areas are marked on the maps attached to that Bylaw. The new bylaw will not contradict the Dog Control Bylaw.
It is acknowledged that shared paths that are close to urban areas are generally frequented by members of the public with dogs. There is an expectation that some of these paths need to be available for dog exercise subject to the animals being controlled.
Allowance has also been made for dogs on the trail where it is anticipated that they pose no specific risk to cyclists and wildlife. Suitable signage will be provided to advise cyclists and walkers of the areas where dogs can share the trail.

The notes say that in the Motueka area horses will not be permitted on the defined trail, while dogs will not be permitted through the Riwaka Reserve, along the coast or on private property between the northern end of the Motueka Golf Club and the part of the walkway where the spit joins the mainland where it crosses land owned by Wakatu Incorporation.

This is shown on the map in red. The remainder of the bike trail in the Motueka area is shown in blue, although parts of this have not yet been fully decided.

This issue is most unfortunate, given the huge benefits that the Great Taste Trail will bring to Motueka, but also given the popularity of the Kumaras walkway for so many people, dog owners and non-owners alike.

Motueka ward councillor Eileen Wilkins has already gone on record as saying the banning dogs on the Kumaras path will be on a par to declaring war.

"If people can't walk their dogs along the Kumaras but it's open to cyclists then you are buying a fight," Mrs Wilkins was reported by the Nelson Mail to have said.

She said there was already opposition from some quarters about the cycleway's takeover of the existing Kumaras walkway, which would need to be upgraded to meet cycleway standards. The ban would only inflame the situation, she said.

The current walkway between the Kumaras and Motueka Quay was a popular walking area for dog owners. Dogs are already banned from most of the nearby sandspit to protect nesting birds.

Another area of concern, raised by Keep Motueka Beautiful, was the intention of using the Inlet Walkway from the southern entrance roundabout to the Recreation Centre and Old Wharf Road. Part of that track is far too narrow for national cycleway standards, and is raised and bending, making it dangerous for more than one cyclist at a time to negotiate.

Public submissions
Anyone can make submissions on the draft bylaw or any aspect of or omission from it. The Council in making its decision will be taking account of all submissions.

Copies of this proposal and the Draft Bylaw can be obtained from all Tasman District Council offices and libraries and via Council’s website. Submissions should be sent to the Engineering Secretary, Tasman District Council, Private Bag 4, Richmond 7050 or via email to or delivered to 189 Queen Street Richmond no later than 5 pm on 26 October 2012. Submissions will be heard in November 2012.

Comment by Ian MIller:
[Posted 22 September 2012]

Banning dogs from being walked along the track behind the Motueka golf course north to Staples street is plain stupid. Scores of people walk their dogs along this track. One of the pleasures of living in Motueka must surely be dog walking along this short stretch of coast.

Lots of people cycle along here also. Its picturesque and peaceful; a pleasant place to be. How did someone decide there is conflict or a safety issue with this situation? Some bureaucrats are far too keen on making rules.
Dogs are good for people's health because caring for a dog gets people out walking. Owning a dog is also good for mental and emotional health because walking, in fact exercise in general, is known to be a great all-round tonic. Walking a dog encourages people to meet and chat.

Living with a dog allows people to care for and interact with a cheerful companion. Many many people enjoy life with a dog. A dog in the family teaches children responsibility, compassion, empathy and the facts of life. Watching a dog grow from puppy-hood to old age and eventual death, children learn to understand life.

Dogs also keep people grounded. Dogs are always dogs and occasionally embarrass their owners which keeps everyone real. I think we should be making more places available to dog walkers rather than less. Overseas dog laws allow owners greater freedom, and society there still manages to function extremely well.

Comment by Dr Bob Anderson:
[Posted 1 October 2012]

I am interested in your web site especially as I live next to the mudflats of the Kumaras (now called Ruamanuka).

The reason we bought and developed our ten acre property from 1987 with many trees was that we loved the wildness of the local wetlands and wanted to enhance the chances of local plant and creature variety. We are in the process of turning at least five acres of the property of 'unusable' land into a native coastal reserve - this is with Conservation approval and possible help.

I am in total favour of nationwide cycle lanes.

Referring to the current article in question I have many reservations:

The said Kumara Walkway is 'sacred' in many ways and would not be suitable for a public cycle highway. Sea water often goes right over the walkway making it virtually impassable. It is too narrow near the old sewage outlet even for two bikes to pass.
Since we have been here the spit has moved westwards 300 meters and is going to be less of a barrier to the sea. Any work on a cycleway would have to be repaired innumerable times. Cyclists would have to be redirected inland many times a year.
Walkers, local cyclists, mobile scooters, horses can manage most of the time and from my experience do minimal harm to wildlife.
Dogs are a problem and there is a need to train them, control them as much as humanly possible while policing the vast area is not possible. (Cats in the area on the other hand - totally uncontrollable creatures - destroy something like 200 birds each a year.)
Education and advice by notices is still the best option; at the same time planting and caring for the Kumara area should continue.
There are other objections to a cycleway - the Tasman District Council from my experience has no idea how the care for our special areas and I have had battles with them for years.

Alternatives: The main cycleway will have to proceed north along Thorp Street, or the main highway bypassing the Kumara area. There should be short limited connections to the beach areas with parking facilities, and lockup stands so that cyclists can relax and walk around the area; e.g. one near the turn at the bottom (east end) of Harbour Road, another rest area near No 11 Green of the golf course reaching there along the ditch parallel to No 12 fairway. A third cyclist rest area could be at the existing car park at Ruamanuka.

I can visualise as many as a thousand cycling visitors a day on occasions which would be too much for this sacred area to manage. After all, I have seen as many a 400 white-baiters visiting the culvert near the car park during a season! This has changed since new regulations.

It is too easy to ban things and upset the regular local community. They use the area every day, wet or shine and often at night. If there is a strong desire to turn the area into a virtual reserve then it will have to be gated and an entrance fee payable as I have seen abroad. I can't imagine cyclists in a hurry wanting to have to pay to pass through.

Comment by Tony Small:
[Posted 1 October 2012]

Ian Miller is correct in every way. We don't own a dog, but we cycle or walk along the Kumaras nearly every day, and we enjoy meeting people with dogs. I have never seen a problem. If cyclists can't co-oexist with dogs, they shouldn't be riding there.

Certainly the birds need to be protected, but this proposal won't do that. Responsible dog owners will, although some owners may need more education about the birds' needs, especially if they are nesting.

If the TDC pass this bylaw, people will ignore it, and rightly so.

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