Legal beach fires are a thing of the past in the capital region, with an immediate ban coming into effect in Metchosin.
Metchosin council voted on Monday in favour of a ban at Taylor Road beach and Sandgate Road beach, commonly called Weir’s Beach.
Although the ban had been recommended for July 1, council voted to make it immediate because of the extra dry conditions.
“I never ever thought I would be the one implementing a beach-fire ban,” Mayor John Ranns said.
“It’s a sign of what we’re facing as a rural area, with urban development growing around us. It’s starting to impact us and it’s unfortunate.”
Traffic to Metchosin beaches has increased as a result of fire bans in other municipalities, Ranns said.
Residents complained of smouldering fires and the burning of inappropriate material, as well as littering, broken bottles and private properties being used as toilets.
