Kaitaia 4WD drivers may face $500 fines

Four-wheel-drive vehicle owners who pumped water from the Awanui River in Kaitaia last month to make a mud course and to wash vehicles could face a $500 fine.

The Northland Regional Council plans to investigate allegations that the Kaitaia Four-Wheel Drive Club illegally took water from the river during the Kaitaia A and P Show on February 27.

Monitoring manager Riaan Elliot says the council would need to consider whether the club took more than 10 cubic metres of water – the most allowed for a single activity in one day without obtaining a resource consent.

"If we got sufficient evidence, we would look at issuing an infringement notice," says Mr Elliot.

The council will also consider whether it is appropriate to take action against the Kaitaia A and P Association which organised the show, he says.

Kaitaia A and P Association chairman Robin Shepherd says the association accepts no responsbility for the club's actions because its off-road course was on Northland Regional Council land next to the showgrounds.

"We don't have an agreement with the club, because it's not on our land."

The club's demonstration of offroad driving skills was an adjunct to the show, not part of it, says Mr Shepherd.

"It was something that was happening next door to the show.

"We weren't charging admission to get in there," he says.

Kaitaia 4WD Club spokesman Dave Currie would not comment on the allegations when we contacted him last week.

- © Fairfax NZ News