The hold-up was met with disappointment from Otago Peninsula Community Board chairman Paul Pope yesterday.
The Otago Daily Times was told the Dunedin City Council's Reserves and Beaches Bylaw 2017 was still not in force, despite councillors voting to adopt the new rules last May.
The bylaw bans vehicles from city beaches and reserves, with exceptions for emergency services, surf life-savers, fishermen and wind-powered buggies.
It also bans drones from ecologically sensitive areas, unless consents or permits are granted, as well as spelling out the limits for horse owners wanting to ride along the sand.
A sign-off was required by the Minister of Conservation, and - with an initially inconclusive general election in September - that had not been obtained until December, Cr Andrew Whiley said yesterday.
Cr Whiley, chairman of the hearings committee which considered 433 submissions on the bylaw, said the new rules now needed a further sign-off by councillors before being introduced.
That was expected on February 20, when a full council meeting was scheduled, he said.
Mr Pope said he ``would have hoped'' to see the new rules in force this summer, when beaches such as Tomahawk experienced more problems caused by motorists.
While most drivers were responsible, summer brought out more people and created more issues, including during wildlife breeding seasons, he said
In one recent case, a vehicle was found burnt out on Tomahawk Beach, Mr Pope said.
Cr Whiley was also disappointed at the time taken to introduce the new rules.
