Clutha district councillors voted 9-1 to end the review — a decision previously signalled in a December 11 workshop.
Ahead of the Clutha District Council meeting yesterday morning, protestors filled the carpark outside the council building, urging councillors not to axe the review.
Only Cr Simon McAtamney supported reviewing the council’s 2023 vehicles on beaches bylaw and introducing "safe zones" — a review that was called for last term by then-mayor Bryan Cadogan.
The district had been in the spotlight after repeated incidents involving harassment of sea lions by vehicles driving on Catlins beaches last summer.
Yesterday, Clutha District Mayor Jock Martin said safe zones for sea lions had been ruled out in favour of introducing speed limits.
"Introducing speed limits will give the bylaw teeth ... actually make it enforceable," Mr Martin said.
The 2023 bylaw, presented to councillors yesterday, noted safe zones could be created by the council to prohibit vehicle access after monitoring and consultation.
It also said speed limits on beaches in the district would be determined and included in a separate speed management plan.
Forest & Bird spokesman Jim Young said the only reason there was no precedent for speed limits on beaches, which were considered roads, was because other councils did not bother with them and simply established safe zones where vehicles were excluded — such as the beaches around Dunedin and Invercargill.
"It’s very disappointing," Mr Young said.
"Whether somebody’s driving 30kmh or 100kmh makes no difference to a hidden seal-pup or ground nesting bird or even a small child."
He said he felt the bylaw in its present form did allow for the creation of safe zones after consultation and without review.
"We are aware of significant incidents of protected wildlife harassed, hurt and even killed by irresponsible drivers around Catlins beaches," Mr Young said.
"But council have just been kicking the can down the road about creating rules with any teeth to make them safer for wildlife or people."
Diana Noonan, who attended the morning protest and afternoon meeting in support of Forest & Bird, felt "promises had been broken".
"Speaking for myself, I suppose I’ll be submitting the speed limit is zero," she said.
At the morning protest, environmentalists bounced and chased a beach ball ahead of arriving council staff and vehicles, until two police officers arrived in two cars.
The officers acknowledged protesters’ right to protest but asked them to stay clear of vehicle lanes and warned against impeding traffic.
The officers declined to comment on their role in enforcing road rules on local beaches.
