A sea lion was found dead at Tautuku Beach on January 11 after vehicles were seen driving aggressively towards and around it in the preceding days.
Clutha District Council documents show the harassment occurring on two consecutive days, despite members of the public expressing their displeasure to the alleged offenders.
Following the incident, Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan said he would push to strengthen the council’s Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw.
The council will consider whether to move forward with a bylaw review at its meeting in Balclutha tomorrow.
In a letter to the council dated January 29, Doc southern South Island regional operations director Aaron Fleming said the department shared public "concern and sadness" regarding the incident.
"The harassment of this taonga species was appalling.
"This incident and others highlight the urgent need for stronger measures to protect our precious wildlife. While the [original bylaw] was a step in the right direction, it is clear that more robust and enforceable regulations are necessary to prevent such tragic events from occurring in the future."
During consultation in 2022, the council initially proposed banning vehicles from eight beaches — most in the Catlins — and imposing a 30kmh speed limit on all others.
The proposal garnered 800 unique submissions during consultation, and led to heated exchanges at community outreach sessions.
The council approved a watered-down version of the bylaw proposals in September that year, which left all beaches open to vehicles, while providing broad guidelines for safe and respectful driver behaviour.
Mr Fleming said it was clear stricter regulations were now required.
Alongside resources for further monitoring, education, signs and physical works to prevent beach access, he wanted to see a "blanket" approach that aligned with Dunedin and Invercargill.
"[Doc’s] preference is for a blanket ban on vehicles with exceptions for landowner access, emergency services and limited access for boat launching."
Mr Cadogan said he "respected" Doc’s contribution to the discussion, while emphasising it would be a decision for all beach users if a review went ahead.
"Recent incidents have highlighted the fragility of the present stance regarding vehicles on beaches, but we’re only one part of the protective framework around wildlife, albeit an important one.
"While appreciating the importance of this bylaw for all stakeholders, we’re also acutely aware as a council that there is a cost associated with any consultation and review, and that’s what we will be considering tomorrow."
The agenda item for the review says consultation could take place before or after local government elections in October.
Its estimated cost would be about $17,000.
