With the arrival of warmer weather more people will be visiting Doctors Point beach area.
We thought that people would like to know some of the history of the reserve and the Waitati Beach Reserve Society's plans for the future.
The area behind the beach is private land.
Residential land was bought in the area by a group of doctors for their seaside houses from around 1918 (hence the name, Doctors Point).
They decided to purchase the remaining sections near the beach and turn it into a reserve.
In 1937 further sections were bought that were to the right of the road going down to the beach.
In 1955 the Waitati Beach Reserve Society was formed with the aim "to retain the land at the beach in its present state with the intention that it not be sub-divided or built on, and be preserved as an amenity for the district for all time." This was further enforced in 1992 when the Society was successful in obtaining a Queen Elizabeth II National Trust covenant on that land immediately behind the shoreline to protect its special nature.
In 1988 Mr Alf White gifted his triangle of land between the railway land and the beach to the Society.
In recent years the Society has tried to protect the area from cars and bikes driving into the dunes, damaging the plants and Māori archaeological sites.
The area to the right of the road as you enter the beach now has fencing to prevent vehicles entering but we have maintained walking tracks.
Planting was undertaken with the local school children and the librarian.
We have learnt a lot from that exercise in terms of what will grow and we plan future planting to continue to help restore the sand dunes and encourage birdlife.
In the future we hope to fence off the sand dune area on the seaward side of the road from cars, while still allowing for people to walk through.
The car parking areas will remain.
We are doing this to maintain and restore the sand dunes because without the plants on the sand dunes the chances of coastal erosion and flooding increases.
This could mean a loss of the archaeological sites as well.
Unfortunately, it is common for people to drive their cars through the dunes, build fires and dump rubbish.
We want to involve the community and especially the local school children in conservation projects at the beach.
With their involvement we believe Doctors Point Beach will be an even more enjoyable and interesting place.
We also aim to preserve and enhance the plants and birdlife.
It is hoped that through the engagement with many people in our community, the beach will be less likely to be damaged in the future.
If you would like further information about the reserve and future plans please contact the secretary on ph 4822 775. by Karen Johnston, President, Waitati Beach Reserve Society
