Western Bay of Plenty District Council is undertaking a bylaw review which considers no longer allowing horses to be ridden at Tuapiro Point.

However, horse riders will be interested to know the council is also looking at the development of an 80-hectare forestry block in Lund Road for horse riding, walking and cycling trails.

Policy planning & regulatory services group manager Rachael Davie says the decision to do a review of activities around Tuapiro Point has resulted from the council being made aware of the inadvertent damage horses were causing.

'We know Tuapiro Point is very popular with horse riders but it's important that we take a wider look at all uses of this area with a view to prioritising public health and the health of the inner harbour.

'The Regional Coastal Environment Plan identifies the need to avoid significant damage to the coastal environment, particularly where this impacts public health and significant cultural sites such as kaimoana beds, which is why we're proposing this change.”

Tuapiro Point has been a popular spot with horse riders for a number of years.

However, riders going outside of permitted areas, leaving waste behind and riding over kaimoana beds are causing significant damage which has led Council to consider this change.

To find out more and to make a submission about the proposed Reserves and Facilities Bylaw change and the proposed new Lund Road area (part of the Katikati/Waihi Beach Reserve Management Plan) visit haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz.

Information sessions are planned for:

Submissions should be made online at haveyoursay.westernbay.govt.nz.