A working group involving three Ashburton District Councillors and three Hakatere Huts residents has reached a majority consensus on camping at the Upper Hakatere reserve and the future of bollards recently placed there.

The group met on Tuesday with the majority agreeing that camping should not be allowed on the Upper Hakatere reserve, which is a popular picnic area; there was also consensus that many of the bollards placed in the upper reserve should be removed.

Cr Russell Ellis chaired the group and said the outcomes would form the basis of a report and recommendation to Council, for a final decision.

“We reached a compromise that we think the Hakatere community and Council can live with. It was a good constructive discussion and while not everyone agreed that camping should be prohibited in the upper picnic reserve, there was a majority consensus that it should be banned, and camping is available at Lower Hakatere.

“We all agreed the bollards, that currently stop vehicles driving onto the upper picnic area, should be removed on a trial basis. Ultimately, though, that is a decision to be made by Councillors when the matter comes to them for a decision on 20 August.”

Council representatives will visit the huts next week and mark the bollards that are proposed to be removed, and the ones that would stay.

Hakatere residents petitioned Council earlier this year for the bollards to be removed and camping to be reinstated, saying the reserve was a popular spot and people should be able to park close to the picnic tables and enjoy the coastal views.

Cr Ellis said that if the working group’s recommendation was accepted and adopted by Council, the upper reserve would be monitored over the summer for illegal camping and the situation reviewed. Signs would also be erected to help guide picnickers and campers.

Council also plans to build a new toilet facility this year near the Lower Hakatere camping area.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach said the working group had been able to reach a compromise, which was a good outcome.

“Councillors and residents have been able to sit down and come to an agreed position and that will definitely help Council when it makes a decision later this month.”