Quadbike access to a Bay of Plenty beach continues to divide Waiotahe residents, with some saying it's a way of life, while others complain there are more than 50 bikes disturbing the area.

Waiotahe residents for and against quad bike use debated the issue during a Ōpōtiki District Council meeting this week.

Janine Taylor presented the council with a petition signed by more than 300 residents and frequent visitors to Waiotahe Drifts and Waiotahe Dunes subdivisions.

It expressed their collective view that quadbike and ATV access to beaches was essential to the community’s way of life.

Ms Taylor said she lived near a beach accessway and saw people accessing the beach by vehicles daily. The majority were “good people”.

“About 95 percent are elderly people taking their grandkids and a torpedo down there.”

She said ecological damage was minimal and offered the community’s assistance with dune care work.

Ross Palmer presented evidence about rising numbers of quadbikes in the subdivision, saying they currently numbered about 50 – a 10-fold increase in six years.

“That’s likely an undercount because it doesn’t account for guests and holidaymakers.”

He said projected growth could bring the number up to 100 in the next few years.

Mr Palmer urged council to work with police to make people accountable when they vandalised signs and bollards designed to keep vehicles from using the boardwalk and other beach access points.

“We know who’s responsible. At the very least they should be told that their behaviour won’t be tolerated.”

Councillor Dean Petersen asked that people for and against quadbikes get together to find a compromise.

"Somehow, we’ve got to try and sort this out because, at the end of the day, we can’t police it. There’s not enough police in town.”

Mayor David Moore.

Mayor David Moore said the council was working through a process with iwi to create an access point to the western training wall of the new harbour.

“There is no quick solution here. A community solution is the ideal one, but we have iwi partners and the regional council – we’ve got lots of partners. Hopefully we find a solution where everyone is happy.”

The issue also sparked debate in December amid plans to make it legal for vehicles to access the beach through a pedestrian boardwalk.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.