Bill could protect Ocean Beach: Yule | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

Part of Ocean Beach could be protected from development by a bill sponsored by local MPs, Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule says.

Mr Yule discussed land protection options at Ocean Beach with Conservation Minister Chris Carter late last month. Mr Yule said a bill could ban housing and development forever and was the favoured option.

He was committed to ensuring the 7km of coastline outlined for "no development" in the draft master from last October's charrette plan remained that way.

"The net effect of that sort of bill would be that any changes away from it would have to pass through 120 MPs. That's about as good a safeguard as it's possible to get," Mr Yule said.

"The protection of the northern part of the beach is of critical importance to the community, and we need to do everything we can to ensure the wilderness value is protected."

He said he had raised the idea with landowners already.

"All the landowners involved have shown a real willingness to protect the northern part of the beach, but it's a matter of finding the best method of protection.

"Obviously anything that is done will require the consent and input of the landowners and the complete support of our regional MPs, but at this stage I believe a local bill is perfectly possible."

Two kilometres of coastline at the southern end of Ocean Beach has been proposed by the charrette design team for development.

Tukituki MP Craig Foss said he had asked Mr Yule to provide a complete set of all Hastings District Council documents in the public domain relating to the preservation or development of Ocean Beach.

Hastings District Council strategic development manager Mark Clews said the council could provide public information but was also required to protect people's privacy.

This meant information provided to the council in confidence or that may be commercially sensitive could not be disclosed, Mr Clews said.

The council will meet on Tuesday to see the charrette design team's final plan.