Bryan Cadogan said yesterday he had been surprised to learn a group of about 15 Australian Ford salesmen had visited Papatowai during mid-March to drive Ford Rangers on the beach.
Mr Cadogan said the incident — which may have breached the council’s vehicles on beaches bylaw — illustrated once again the need to strengthen vehicle restrictions on the district’s beaches.
The council has indicated it will review the bylaw after local government elections in October.
The current bylaw, which allows for safe and respectful driving in line with road rules — but has been criticised for being "watered down" — was put in place in 2023.
A Papatowai resident reported the Ford Australia incident to the council in March, complaining the salesmen were driving "as fast as they [could]" in timed races, and "doing donuts".
Mr Cadogan said it was lucky only people were disturbed by the drivers.
Three breeding-age female sea lions — of about 15 — have been killed by human intervention in the Catlins during the past two years.
"You often don’t know you’re on top of a sea lion until you trip over it, because they blend in so well.
"At the speed they were going, it was lucky they didn’t kill yet another animal."
He said the incident only reinforced the need for the bylaw review.
"I think it reinforces the fragility of the position we’re in at the moment.
"To all those who say vehicles and other human impacts are not happening, take a look at the reality of the situation.
"A small section of our society needs to change its behaviour if we’re to preserve what we have."
