The Aramoana community is split over a gate installed to stop hoons wrecking a protected salt marsh.
The Department of Conservation put in an unlocked gate at the entrance to the marsh over the past two weeks in an attempt to restrict vehicle access to a Doc road next to it.
This move was praised by the Aramoana Conservation Trust, which has long been calling for access to be restricted, but the Aramoana League is against the gate because the group believes it restricts historic access by locals to the beach next to the marsh.
Trust chairman Bradley Curnow said the installation of the gate came after a ‘‘very long battle'' to stop damage to the marsh.
‘‘We struck some real opposition from a small bunch of people at Aramoana, who basically think they own the place,'' Mr Curnow said.
Since the gate had been installed, there had been some conflict.
‘‘We are all playing open and close the gate: the conservationists are closing the gate and the Aramoana League people are opening the gate.''
Doc had previously installed signs and a car park in an attempt to stop people from using the road, but the problem continued.
‘‘Recently, we have had four tyres burnt on the mudflats and then we've had one incident of someone driving over the actual vegetation of the salt marsh itself.''
Doc had sent a letter to residents warning them if damage continued the gate would be locked.
‘‘I think Doc want to give the community one last chance. It's like serving notice.''
Aramoana League secretary John Davis said the group was against the gate, but he believed those opposed would probably be able to live with it, as long as it remained unlocked.
‘‘We've had historic use since the village was established and the feeling of the community is that they see no reason why that shouldn't continue.''
If Doc did decide to lock the gate ‘‘it could create friction''.
He would be encouraging those against the gate not to leave it open or damage it, saying such moves could ‘‘backfire'' and cause Doc to permanently lock it.
Mr Davis would not comment on whether locals using the path were breaking the law or whether he thought there should be one rule for locals and another for people not from the area.
Doc Eastern South Island improvement manager David Agnew said the gate was installed to limit damage on what was a ‘‘significant habitat''.
‘‘There has been some inappropriate vehicle behaviour down there and there has been a series of fires on the beach as well.''
He believed there was no reason why people wanting to access the beach could not park at the gate and walk the rest of the way.
If inappropriate behaviour continued, other options would be looked at, including locking the gate.
He believed people who went on the path with their vehicles could be prosecuted by Doc, but this would only be done as a last resort in the case of ‘‘abhorrent behaviour''.
The path was able to be used by people accessing their cribs and by emergency services.
