No quick fix for Wainui's erosion

Gisborne Herald, Monday, 21 July 2008
By Christine McCafferty

A review of the Wainui Beach Management Strategy is on the cards, amid growing concerns from council staff and beachfront residents that there is no quick fix to foreshore erosion. Earlier this year, high sea swells lashed Wainui Beach and caused significant eroding to several properties along Wairere Road. At one stage more than one metre of sand disappeared, exposing old gabion baskets, and a log and rail wall. >> MORE

Reporting to the operations committee, community facilities asset manager Jurgen Komp said while the situation was later rectified by the sea, the foreshore management strategy needed to be reviewed.

Alan Hall said he was concerned the council did not lead beach residents into a "false sense of security" by doing work that would not actually stop the problem long-term.

Atareta Poananga agreed residents needed to be aware this was a "very real situation" and existing solutions were only a short-term fix.

The council is still awaiting preliminary designs and costs from the suppliers of a soft rock geotextile, which is one method of fixing the problem.

Mr Komp said there were clauses for the policy to be reviewed in line with technology and environment changes.

The Government had just released a new coastal policy statement which could be in conflict with the council's existing strategy.

"The Government does not want hard-faced protections or defences, because of the natural movement of the ocean. We want to protect the beach, the beachgoers want the beach as it is, so do the residents. We don't want to interfere if we don't have to."

While avoiding invasive measures to solve erosion, residents and the council did need to be prepared for the "worse-case scenario", Mr Komp said.

"If all the sand goes away, we must be prepared in some way. Residents must be aware of the fact they are living by the sea and the sea is not your friend. It is nice when it's calm and beautiful but, when a storm comes and the swell is five metres, it makes you scared.

"We can't resolve it quickly. We cannot fight the sea."

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