Save Ocean Beach

Middle Beach erosion hearing

2012-01-05T13:54:00.001+13:00

By Chris Morris on Thu, 5 Jan 2012
News: Dunedin | DCC

A public hearing next month will help decide what to do about erosion problems threatening Dunedin's Middle Beach.

The Dunedin City Council has been investigating the problems, and what to do about them, since severe storms in 2007 first highlighted the threat of erosion to Kettle Park and other facilities in the area.

That resulted in a draft Ocean Beach management plan prepared by consultant Tonkin and Taylor last year, covering a 4km area stretching from St Clair to Lawyers Head.

The draft plan recommended continuing the council's holding pattern of monitoring and sand-replenishment work - put in place after the 2007 storms - in the meantime.

However, the report also canvassed 13 longer-term options and recommended a managed retreat from Middle Beach and Kettle Park, or construction of an inland buried backstop wall to protect the area over the next 10 to 50 years, at an initial estimated cost of between $8 million and $19 million.

Yesterday, council community and recreation services manager Mick Reece said public consultation on the draft plan had prompted 17 submissions, including input from the Department of Conservation and individuals.

About half supported the draft plan's recommendations, while the rest had mixed views, he said.

A public hearing, set down for February 21 to 23, would be held to help determine a way forward, Mr Reece said.

chris.morris@odt.co.nz

Submissions for Ocean beach Close Today

2011-11-25T13:04:00.001+13:00

you have until 5pm today to send in your submission for Ocean beach, i haven't even started writing mine!!

Proposed Management Options for Ocean Beach

2011-10-27T14:36:00.001+13:00

Proposed Management Options for Ocean Beach

Closes: 25/11/2011

In 2008, the Council appointed a Project Team to gather data and consider management options for Ocean Beach. This followed significant erosion on the beach in June/July 2007, the DCC’s replenishment of sand on the beach and other remedial works as part of a now established ‘holding pattern’, and a comprehensive consultation process. Since then the Project Team has gathered and analysed that data and completed a risk assessment process. It has now identified proposed management options for Ocean Beach, taking into account the existing processes and risks.

A report from Tonkin & Taylor dated October 2011 entitled: ‘Ocean Beach, Coastal Issues and Options’, sets out preferred options for managing the area using an adaptive management approach. The report is available for inspection at the DCC’s Customer Services Centre and Libraries from Tuesday 25 October during their ordinary opening hours. A summary of intent and submission forms are also available. The information, plus background material on erosion at Ocean Beach, can be found at www.dunedin.govt.nz/consultation.

Submissions must be received by 5.00 pm on Friday 25 November. Hearing dates have been scheduled for Tuesday 31 January to Thursday 2 February 2012. Please state in your submission whether or not you wish to be heard.

Consultation documents

Public Notice (PDF, 21.5 KB, new window)This document is a pdf copy of the Public Notice for Proposed Management Option for Ocean Beach consultation.
Tonkin and Taylor Report (PDF, 3.8 MB, new window)This report summarises the existing and potential future situation. It also describes a range of potential generic options to address the shoreline erosion.
Statement of Intent (PDF, 1.7 MB, new window)The Statement of Intent outlines management options for Ocean Beach and summarises the Tonkin and Taylor report.
Impact of Scenarios on Ocean Beach Domain (PDF, 463.6 KB, new window)this map shows the impact of Scenarios on Ocean Beach Domain.
Managed retreat sandy backdune (PDF, 1.2 MB, new window)This illustration shows the managed retreat with sandy backdune.
Reshaped dune marram foredune (PDF, 1.2 MB, new window)This illustration shows the reshaped dune with marram foredune.
Slideshow Stakeholders Meeting (PDF, 4.6 MB, new window)This is a pdf of the slideshow presentation to the stakeholders meeting.
Submission Form (PDF, 23.3 KB, new window)This document can be used to make a submission regarding the Proposed Management Options for Ocean Beach.

Consultation details

Closing date	25/11/2011
Contact person	Business Development Team Leader
Public feedback	Online submission form (new window) Email to - oceanbeach.comment@dcc.govt.nz Post to - Proposed Management Options for Ocean Beach, Community and Recreation Services, Dunedin City Council, PO Box 5045 Moray Place, Dunedin 9058, Attention: Lisa Labuchagne Hand deliver to - Proposed Management Options for Ocean Beach, Customer Service Centre, Ground Floor Civic Centre, 50 The Octagon - Attention Lisa Labuchagne
Public meetings	The public meeting is to be held on Monday 7 November 2011 at 7.00 pm. The venue is the Port Otago Room, first floor, Edgar Centre, corner Portsmouth Drive and Teviot Street. All interested members of the public are cordially invited to attend. A summary of the options and submission forms will also be available at the meeting .

Kettle Park lights off; more sand for beach

2011-10-01T15:33:00.002+13:00

By David Loughrey on Sat, 1 Oct 2011

News: Dunedin | DCC

The lights have been turned off at Kettle Park, and Dunedin's Middle Beach will be replenished with sand, after concerns the sea has worked its way dangerously close to light poles at the park.

The Dunedin City Council confirmed yesterday fences and signs were being installed along the edge of the sports ground in the interests of public safety, and power had been disconnected from the sports field lights.

The work is expected to cost about $60,000.

"A further inspection of Ocean Beach was held this morning following our monitoring of the latest pattern of storm activity," council parks manager Lisa Wheeler said yesterday.

"It is now clear that the erosion of the dunes adjacent to Kettle Park on the eastern side of Moana Rua Rd requires remedial work."

Dunedin man John Piper, who walks his dog on the beach each day, raised concerns about the issue this week, after he noticed heavy seas had eroded sand dunes to within metres of light poles at the ground.

The council is coming to the end of an extended consultation and research period, as it tries to find a way to deal with the constant erosion at the beaches from St Clair to Lawyers Head, which was made worse by severe storms in 2007.

The council has been shoring up the dunes since then, dumping extra sand and placing "reno blankets" - rock-filled wire netting - along the beach.

Yesterday, community and recreation services manager Mick Reece said a rip had formed at Middle Beach.

The council has a stockpile of sand at Tahuna, which it dredged from Otago Harbour, and 5000cu m would be used to replenish the beach.

Contractors would also attempt during low tides to remove rubble from the beach that had been dumped there in the past, but had been exposed.

Ms Wheeler said the swell at the beach was predicted to ease yesterday, and work was being organised to begin next week to replenish the dunes most severely affected.

In 2009, the council set aside $400,000 for the following three years to deal with the problems until a longer-term solution was found.

david.loughrey@odt.co.nz

Update: September 2011

2011-09-25T20:57:00.001+13:00

There has been some erosion of the dune face at various points along the beach due to recent swell activity, mostly in the area located between The Esplanade, St Clair and the Moana Rua Road, St Kilda. Contractors have been instructed to remove overhanging sections of dune in areas where the face has been eroded to prevent clay capping material from falling onto the beach. Due to a lowering of sand levels, the stairway from the gravel track between the St Clair seawall and the tennis courts has been closed and the lower sections removed. This section of track may also be at risk of erosion during a predicted storm event and therefore will be closely monitored and repair works arranged where necessary.

A report outlining the Project Team's preferred management options for the long term coastal protection of Ocean Beach and requesting approval to publicly consult on these options is being presented to the Community Development Committee on 7th September.

Public to have say on erosion plans

2011-09-08T21:00:00.000+12:00

By Chris Morris on Thu, 8 Sep 2011

News: Dunedin | DCC

The public will be asked to have their say as the Dunedin City Council considers plans to combat erosion at Middle Beach that could lead to a "managed retreat" from the area.

Councillors at yesterday's council community development committee agreed to consult the public on a draft Ocean Beach management plan prepared by consultant Tonkin and Taylor.

The draft plan covered an area stretching 4km from St Clair to Lawyers Head and includes Middle Beach, where serious erosion occurred following severe storms in 2007.

The report recommended continuing the council's holding pattern of monitoring and sand replenishment work - put in place following the 2007 storms - in the meantime.

However, the report also canvassed 13 longer-term options and recommended a managed retreat from Middle Beach and Kettle Park, or construction of an inland buried backstop wall to protect the area, over the next 10 to 50 years.

Initial estimates showed the work could cost between $8 million and $19 million, including a clean-up of the old landfill underneath Kettle Park at risk of being further exposed by continued erosion.

Council community and recreation services manager Mick Reece said he hoped consultation could be completed by the end of this year, with recommendations that followed considered as part of next year's long-term plan hearings.

Detailed information gathered by the council's Ocean Beach project team would also be made public through the council's website to aid the consultation process, he said.

chris.morris@odt.co.nz

Sea may win fight for coast

2011-09-04T09:53:00.001+12:00

By Chris Morris on Fri, 2 Sep 2011

News: Dunedin

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE

A digger works on top of the sand dunes at Middle Beach. Photo by Stephen Jaquiery.

Coastal erosion could force Dunedin's Kettle Park and nearby dunes to be abandoned to the sea, but only after millions of dollars are spent clearing potentially toxic industrial waste from an old landfill lying underneath.

The idea of a "managed retreat" from Middle Beach and Kettle Park is one of two recommendations to come from consultants Tonkin and Taylor, as the Dunedin City Council considers how to respond to coastal erosion threatening the area.

The suggestions came even as council staff yesterday warned of further erosion likely in the area over the next few days, with large swells having stripped sand from the beach and dunes between St Clair and St Kilda in recent days.

The Tonkin and Taylor report, made public yesterday, recommended a managed retreat or construction of an inland buried backstop wall to protect critical areas along the coast, over the next 10 to 50 years.

Initial estimates showed the work could cost between $8 million and $19 million, with any retreat including a clean-up of the old landfill underneath Kettle Park.

Members of the public were warned late last year to stay clear of the area's dunes after traces of arsenic, asbestos and other industrial chemicals from the landfill were detected.

The Tonkin and Taylor report was commissioned last year as part of council planning for the Ocean Beach Domain, which began in 2007 after severe storms caused significant erosion in the area.

The domain stretches about 4km from St Clair to Lawyers Head and includes Middle Beach, where the most serious erosion problems have occurred.

The report presented a draft management plan to be considered by councillors at next week's community development committee meeting, before being released for public consultation.

Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull declined to comment yesterday, saying he was yet to read the finished report.

Council Ocean Beach project team chairman Cr Colin Weatherall said consultation was still required before any decisions were made, which was likely to be several years away.

He would not discuss his personal views when asked about the recommendations or whether he considered the costs affordable.

"Certainly, at the moment, cost is a very large driver in council's budget numbers ... I don't have an opinion on the dollars. I'd rather see what the solution is first and then how we fund it secondly.

"We've got to come up with a practical solution long term that's good for Dunedin city and the community. Therefore, we need to listen to the community and what they want to do."

The report warned erosion had already exposed industrial waste from the landfill, and expected sea-level rise - bringing waves with greater energy - increased the risk of further erosion over the rest of this century.

Update: June 2011

2011-06-30T20:56:00.000+12:00

As a result of high seas in the week 13-17 June there has been a general reduction in beach height. With calmer conditions over the past week the sea swell and wave height has reduced and prevented the dune toe being further damaged. No works are required at this stage and staff will continue to monitor the situation regularly. The warning signage and fencing relating to the former land fill site will remain in place until further notice.

A workshop was held on 27th June to brief Councillors on issues at Ocean Beach. A report outlining options for future treatment will be presented to the Community Development Committee on 27th July, and public consultation will be undertaken on recommended options for the long term management of Ocean Beach after this date.

Update: April 2011

2011-06-13T20:24:00.000+12:00

There has been some lowering of beach sand levels over recent weeks. In one spot, to the west of Moana Rua Road, sand levels have dropped by two metres and rubble has been exposed at the toe of the dune for a distance of approximately 75 metres. The rest of the beach has lowered somewhat, however this is likely to recover over time.

Further tests were commissioned to better determine the extent of contamination of the dune surface and the areas adjacent to the former landfill at Kettle Park. The results of these tests have been analysed and none of the samples collected from the beach, the windblown sand on the sportsfield and the sportsfield surface levels, tested above acceptable limits. Indications are that the contamination is localised.

The warning signage and fencing will remain in place until further notice.

Sand Levels at Middles Dunes

2011-04-23T13:07:00.000+12:00

Update: March 2011

2011-03-28T20:24:00.000+13:00

Weather patterns have been favourable recently with no low pressure events occurring during high tides. The minor depletion of sand previously noted at the beach end of the St Clair seawall has recovered completely. The regular beach access points are structurally sound. However, warning signs relating to the contamination of the dune area around the old landfill site at Kettle Park remain in place and with the area fenced off. Further testing is being carried out to determine the extent of contamination.

The Project Team has been working with specialist risk advisors to complete a risk assessment of Ocean Beach, and will continue to work with them to develop and evaluate options to mitigate the risks identified. Once this evaluation is completed, a report will be prepared by the Project Team outlining recommended future treatment options for Ocean Beach for the Council's consideration.

DCC Update: January 2011

2011-01-30T18:10:00.000+13:00

Update: January 2011

Mixed weather over the summer has led to the occasional 'step' in the sand on Ocean Beach, but in general sand levels remain high overall. Late last year the Ocean Beach Project Team commissioned studies to determine the boundaries and types of material in the old Landfill site at Kettle Park. These studies found that there were some contaminants exposed on the seaward dune face at Kettle Park, and that might be a health risk to the public if there is prolonged exposure to the dunes in that area. Further studies to determine the extent and scope of the contamination are continuing. In the interim, warning signs and fencing has been erected to ensure the public are informed and guided away from the area in question.

The information gathering exercise will be drawing to an end shortly, and after the Project Team has completed a risk analysis process it will prepare its recommendations for future treatment of the Ocean Beach and report to Council.

Caution Urged at Kettle Park Dunes

2011-01-18T10:19:00.003+13:00

The DCC was advised by engineering consultants, Tonkin & Taylor, that industrial material buried under the Kettle Park playing fields may have been exposed on the seaward dune at Kettle Park.

Indications are that there is a possibility of a health risk to the public with any prolonged or on-going exposure to these dunes.

The Project Team has been gathering information on the extent of the old landfill site at Kettle Park. Recently, it commissioned studies by Tonkin & Taylor to determine the boundaries and types of material in the old landfill site. This involved boreholes and samples being taken below the playing fields and the surrounding area, including the adjacent dune face.

The studies indicate that there is construction material and industrial waste under the clay cap which covers the playing fields. This was suspected, and the studies confirm that the waste is safely covered and there are no health issues whatsoever with the playing fields.

The investigations have, however, identified that these buried materials have been exposed on the seaward dune, probably as a consequence of compression over time.

These are preliminary findings and further studies will be commissioned immediately.

However, indications are that there may be a possibility of health risk to the public with any prolonged exposure to the dunes adjacent to the playing fields at Kettle Park.

Any risk relates only to prolonged and on-going exposure, but there is nonetheless a need for caution. It should be emphasised that there is no risk to the users of the adjacent sports grounds at Kettle Park.

The engineers who carried out the investigations have recommended that the DCC:

"carry out further investigations immediately to confirm whether the samples taken are representative and that any significant human health risk exists. A statistically based investigation will provide a robust basis for decision making about the management of the landfill and the coastal dunes."

The evaluation made by Tonkin & Taylor has been on the basis of a limited sample data and therefore must be regarded as preliminary only. However, it indicates that:

long term exposure on sections of the dunes at Kettle Park may present a human health risk; and that
it appears unlikely that the exposed materials present an immediate risk.

Signage is being prepared and will be installed at the Kettle Park beach access points and at all other access points along Ocean Beach as a matter of urgency. It is anticipated the signage will include the information below:

Sign Number One (at the Kettle Park area)

Caution

Members of the public are urged to stay clear of this area of dunes.

Preliminary studies into the old landfill site in this area show some industrial contaminants on the seaward side of these dunes. Until further studies have been completed, the Dunedin City Council advises that there may be a health risk to members of the public from prolonged and on-going exposure to the dunes in this area.

Further information is available by phoning 477 4000.

Sign Number Two (at other beach access points)

Caution

You are advised to stay clear of and avoid all contact with the dunes adjacent to Moana Rua Road.

Preliminary studies into the old landfill site in that area show some industrial contaminants on the seaward side of those dunes. Until further studies have been completed, the Dunedin City Council advises that there may be a health risk to members of the public from prolonged and on-going exposure to the dunes in that area.

Further information is available by phoning 477 4000.

DCC Update: February 2010

2010-12-17T16:44:00.000+13:00

Update: February 2010

Assisted by excellent weather over most of February, sand levels over the Ocean Beach continue to be very high, with all access ways open. Work continues on the background research that is needed, and the keen observer may have noticed a series of red and yellow buoys near the surf zone. These are helping to identify the direction and speed of in shore currents, and are part of the wide ranging studies on Ocean Beach. Those studies should all be completed by mid-year, and the Council will be considering the information received and future options a little later in the year.

DCC Update: November 2010

2010-12-17T16:40:00.000+13:00

Update: November 2010

Continuing benign weather conditions have ensured that beach profile (sand levels) on the Ocean Beach continues to be high.

The major event during the month was, however, identification of contaminants in the dunes immediately adjacent to Kettle Park. Specifically, industrial material buried under the Kettle Park playing fields, from an old landfill site, had been exposed on the seaward dune These findings were identified by studies into the dunes that had been commissioned by the Council.

Surf clubs and relevant authorities have been advised, and warning signs have been placed at all beach access points.

A more detailed investigation of the contamination at Kettle Park is planned, with results from new tests expected before Christmas. It should also be noted that the studies showed that the clay cap and sand covering the construction material and industrial waste under the playing fields is effective and there are no health issues with the fields themselves. Further information will be placed on this site when the results of the tests become available.

22nd September 1910 - 100 years ago

2010-11-30T20:20:00.001+13:00

Esplanade options evaluated

ODT Wed, 22 Sep 2010

100 Years Ago

Click photo to enlarge

Government instructor Simms demonstrates fruit spraying at Clyde. - Otago Witness, 28.9.1910.

The esplanade at St Clair has so long been subjected to the crumbling process as to be unworthy of the name.

The matter has for some time engaged the attention of the Dunedin and Suburban Reserves Conservation and the St Clair Improvement Societies, and a large and influential deputation from these bodies waited on the City Council last night.

This was not a small local matter. An esplanade was required for St Clair, and anything that tended to be betterment of the Ocean Beach meant the benefit of Dunedin as a whole.

The deputation would ask the council to bear in mind that it did not in any way wish to reflect on either the Ocean Beach Domain Board or the St Kilda Council, for it fully recognised the valuable work which both these bodies had done; but both had been hampered by lack of funds.

What esplanade existed was being gradually washed away, and surely the council must see that it was an urgent matter. He might mention also that the movement had the sympathy of the Ocean Beach Domain Board. The idea was to extend the esplanade to Forbury Road, as originally built.

Dr Roberts pointed out that to have an esplanade extending from St Clair to Forbury Road would be a very great boon to the community, and would be used by thousands of people, not only from Dunedin, but visitors from elsewhere.

Nothing had been done to enhance the natural beauties of this part of the coast. There was not even a seat provided.

Mr J. A. Park pointed out that in the Ocean Beach the city possessed an important asset which had been much neglected This beach proved a constant attraction to a very large number of respectable people, and it was for these that this deputation, with the held of this council, proposed to cater.

The Mayor assured the deputation of his sympathy, and assured them that he would do all in his power to further its wishes. He could see nothing in the way of allocating something and he would do his best to have something put on the list. In the meantime the council would refer this matter to a committee. The cost of the esplanade will probably be about 3000.

• Considerable activity prevails at present in horse-dealing between Australia and New Zealand. The steamer Victoria, which left Auckland for Sydney on Monday night, took away 30 draught and 47 light horses, and the Wairuna, which left for Newcastle yesterday, shipped a further consignment of 140 draught horses.

A New Zealand dealer who has just returned from Melbourne states that there is still a big demand in the Australian markets for New Zealand horses, and that good quality animals could be easily disposed off. West Australia, he said, was particularly eager to buy.

- ODT, 22.9.1910.

Arsenic, asbestos found in Dunedin dunes

2010-11-30T19:48:00.002+13:00

Please read the whole article on the Otago Daily Times Website here.

DCC Update: October 2010

2010-10-30T16:40:00.000+13:00

Update: October 2010

The strong south westerlies that marked September carried on into October, although in the latter half of the month the wind direction reversed, with strong north easterlies prevailing. Despite the strong winds the beach is well stocked with sand, with all access ways available.. It is hoped that the high beach profile (sand levels) will be maintained over the summer months, with more settled nor' easterly weather expected over the summer.

The investigation process into the old landfill site at Kettle Park continues and it is hoped that these studies will be largely completed before Christmas. It is likely that the thrust of the Team's report to Council and any consequential recommendations for action will be largely determined by the results of these landfill studies.

DCC Update: September 2010

2010-09-30T16:41:00.000+13:00

Update: September 2010

There were some large 'swings' in September's weather, with rain, a few fine days, big waves, very high tides and lots of wind. So it is pleasing to record that despite some fluctuations in sand levels, with small 'steps' created by wave action from time to time, that the beach is in a well replenished state. The regular access routes to the beach are all accessible at the present time, and with the more settled nor' easterly weather expected over the summer months, it is likely that sand will continue to build up.

The process of investigations into the old landfill site continues, and the Project Team is hoping that this investigation and other studies will be largely completed before Christmas.

Dunes commended as coastal buffers

2010-09-13T17:08:00.003+12:00

Dunes commended as coastal buffers

Article taken from the Otago Daily Times website - By Rebecca Fox on Mon, 13 Sep 2010

People have to change the way they live with their coasts and understand them a lot better, applied coastal scientist Jim Dahm says.

About 55 people attended the "Empowering coastal communities to adapt to climate change" workshop, organised by the Dunedin City Council and Dune Restoration Trust, at Long Beach Hall on Saturday.

Mr Dahm, who was one of the speakers at the workshop, said people needed to adjust their behaviour and live more in harmony with the coast. "We can't win the fight with our beaches."

It had been shown in other seaside communities that alternatives to expensive engineering works like sea walls were effective and also restored and enhanced the amenity and recreational values of coasts.

The idea that "dumping" a seawall along a coast would fix the problem was a "nonsense", he said.

These changes would not happen overnight, but if people better understood their coasts and changed their behaviour, it could be done, he said.

"Making use of natural protection is often the best protection. You create the space and have a natural buffer like a dune and appropriate natural vegetation."

Dunedin City Council coastal parks officer Renee Gordon said once people understood the dune process, talks could begin about what could be achieved along Dunedin's coast.

She hoped people at the workshop would take the information back to their groups and communities and raise awareness of the value of dune system.

read the entire article here

Council to search for old landfill

2010-09-11T20:26:00.002+12:00

To read the whole article on the Otago Daily Times Website please click here.

DCC Update: June/July/August 2010

2010-08-30T16:42:00.000+12:00

Update: June/July/August 2010

While there have been changes in sand levels in recent months, the 'benign' winter weather has meant there has only been fluctuations rather than any significant reduction in the beach profile (sand levels) on the Ocean Beach.?? The high beach profiles on Ocean Beach for the first part of the year have?? provided a good buffer recently. Areas of rubble have been exposed then recovered from time to time, and there has been no need to 'top up' sand levels so far this winter. All access points remain open. Having said that, care needs to be taken when accessing the beach, as a 'step' is present along much of the beach.

On 31 August 2010, the Ocean Beach Project Team (which was established in 2009) submitted a report to the Community Development Committee on progress to date with all studies. The Project Team advised the committee that further information is still coming to hand, and that a further report will be made to Community Development Committee when studies into an old landfill site have been completed.

Dunedin's battle of dunes

2010-05-03T10:23:00.000+12:00

Dunedin's Ocean Beach Domain is the frontline in an ongoing battle between sea and land that has serious implications for the low-lying suburbs behind the dunes. The forces at work, not least the hand of man, have shaped a significantly modified environment.

Change has been brought about by the pressure for raw resources in a developing city, the introduction of marram grass and ultimately the need to tame the coast for the physical protection of the city.

There are lessons here for those who are prepared to look at the mistakes of the past, say Paul Pope, of the Dunedin Amenities Society, and the late John Perry.

• Kaituna
Ocean Beach is a highly modified environment. The normal activity and movement of sand has been altered in favour of a more stable landscape. The former back-dune areas have been extensively mined and become recreation areas.

The coastline still stretches from the St Clair cliffs in the west to Lawyers Head in the east, but the sand dunes have become much thinner and steeper.

In 1848 in the west around St Clair, the sand hills were much smaller and lower, and the mouth of a lagoon ran through these dunes. They accumulated and grew as you moved east towards Lawyers Head.

High ground was in the west at the St Clair hills and in the east at the beginning of Otago Peninsula and beyond them, Otago Harbour and its extended tidal areas.

Between these features was a low-lying wetland named Kaituna. It was covered with silver tussock, rushes and flax and was an area of traditional food-gathering for Maori who sought tuna (eel), pukeko and weka.

There is also evidence that the Kaituna area was once thick with trees, probably kahikatea. They lay buried under the surface of the wetland and were often dug up and used as firewood by early settlers.

A significant feature was a track along the landward edge of the sand hills, which provided easy access to Kaituna.

By 1876 the urban growth of Dunedin had pushed housing to the edge of the sand hills at Ocean Beach. Sand was being removed constantly by householders to raise the level of their sections. Occasional floods are reported in the 1870s, but mostly from the harbour, into South Dunedin.

On one occasion a Mrs Rae and her two daughters were rescued by a gasworks boat crew from Rankeilor St. Their dog was reportedly left behind.

Dunedin's battle of dunes

2010-05-01T21:21:00.002+12:00

Dunedin's battle of dunes

Otago Daily Times
Sat, 1 May 2010

There are lessons here for those who are prepared to look at the mistakes of the past, say Paul Pope, of the Dunedin Amenities Society, and the late John Perry.

The coastline still stretches from the St Clair cliffs in the west to Lawyers Head in the east, but the sand dunes have become much thinner and steeper.

In 1848 in the west around St Clair, the sand hills were much smaller and lower, and the mouth of a lagoon ran through these dunes. They accumulated and grew as you moved east towards Lawyers Head.

High ground was in the west at the St Clair hills and in the east at the beginning of Otago Peninsula and beyond them, Otago Harbour and its extended tidal areas.

A significant feature was a track along the landward edge of the sand hills, which provided easy access to Kaituna.

On one occasion a Mrs Rae and her two daughters were rescued by a gasworks boat crew from Rankeilor St. Their dog was reportedly left behind.

Dunedin's battle of dunes

2010-05-01T10:15:00.000+12:00

ODT Sat, 1 May 2010 by

There are lessons here for those who are prepared to look at the mistakes of the past, say Paul Pope, of the Dunedin Amenities Society, and the late John Perry.

The coastline still stretches from the St Clair cliffs in the west to Lawyers Head in the east, but the sand dunes have become much thinner and steeper.

In 1848 in the west around St Clair, the sand hills were much smaller and lower, and the mouth of a lagoon ran through these dunes. They accumulated and grew as you moved east towards Lawyers Head.

High ground was in the west at the St Clair hills and in the east at the beginning of Otago Peninsula and beyond them, Otago Harbour and its extended tidal areas.

A significant feature was a track along the landward edge of the sand hills, which provided easy access to Kaituna.

On one occasion a Mrs Rae and her two daughters were rescued by a gasworks boat crew from Rankeilor St. Their dog was reportedly left behind.

DCC Update: April 2010,

2010-04-30T16:43:00.000+12:00

Update: April 2010

Data collection and information covering research into the different aspects of the Ocean Beach is continuing to come to hand, although completing some research is taking a little more time than the Council would ideally prefer. The Project Team's report to the Council on the best options for Ocean Beach can only follow the receipt of all relevant information, and that report will now almost certainly be in the second half of 2010.

On the beach itself, a combination of wind, rain, and very high tides have lowered sand levels significantly. As significant 'steps' have also formed in a number of areas, extreme care should be taken when accessing the beach at any time.

Management of dunes to be decided

2010-04-16T21:16:00.000+12:00

from the Otago Daily Times
By David Loughrey on Fri, 16 Apr 2010

The future management of Dunedin's "first line of defence" against the ocean, the city's coastal dune reserves, will soon be decided after hearings held this week.

The coastal dunes reserves management plan hearings attracted 52 submissions from groups including Save the Otago Peninsula and the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust. Ten people attended Wednesday's hearings to speak.

Under the Reserves Act 1977, local authorities are required to develop reserve management plans.

Dunedin City Council staff identified 10 coastal reserves, including at Brighton, Karitane, Long Beach, Ocean View, Waikouaiti and Warrington, to be included.

The idea was to protect and preserve the natural processes of the dunes, and manage natural, biodiversity, scenic and cultural values, while providing for recreation that did not damage those values.

Hearings committee chairwoman Cr Fliss Butcher said a major issue that emerged at the hearing was horses and dogs on Warrington beach.

There was "definitely" a problem with uncontrolled dogs, and their effect on nesting birds.

The issue of horses may be dealt with in a separate process, but the reserve was a recreational area, and horse-riding was a recreational activity.

Other issues included concerns about erosion, something the committee would bear in mind, Cr Butcher said.

She hoped community groups similar to the Tomahawk/Smaills Beachcare Trust could be set up to look after the reserves, with help from the council.

"It's really important," she said of the plan.

"These dunes are our first line of defence."

The committee would deliberate next week, and the plan would go before the community development committee, before being signed by the council.

- david.loughrey@odt.co.nz

To stay and fight, or retreat

2010-04-14T22:27:00.003+12:00

ODT By David Loughrey on Wed, 14 Apr 2010

Differing views have emerged on the possibility of saving low-lying areas in southern Dunedin from sea-level rise.

Consulting engineer Dave Tucker yesterday said engineering solutions were available to deal with the issue, while Sustainable Dunedin co-chairman Phillip Cole, also an engineer, said a retreat from the area was inevitable.

A report released on Monday identified South Dunedin, St Kilda and St Clair as "hot spots" vulnerable to what could be a 1.6m rise in sea levels by 2090.

The report on the effects of climate change in Dunedin was commissioned by the Dunedin City Council, written by University of Otago Emeritus Professor of Geography Blair Fitzharris and released on Monday.

It said the city would eventually have to protect, retreat or evacuate areas including South Dunedin, St Kilda and St Clair.

Other problem areas were the harbourside, the lower Taieri Plain, including the Dunedin airport, populated estuaries along the coast, and the ecosystems of upland conservation regions.

In his report, Prof Fitzharris said the city needed to focus on "adaptation" to deal with the problem, and that was not a one-off event but a process that involved awareness-raising, the development of knowledge and data, and risk assessment.

Some adaptation was occurring on a limited basis, he said.

"However, there remain significant challenges to achieving concrete actions that reduce risks."

Implementing measures such as planned retreat and dune management, building design, prohibition of new structures and siting requirements that accounted for sea-level rise was difficult.

Mr Tucker has previously told the council it needed to form long-term mitigation strategies to deal with the effects of climate change.

Yesterday, he said two areas of Dunedin were not protected by hills: the St Clair and St Kilda beaches area, and the lower harbour near Port Chalmers.

The areas of risk if the sea came through were not just South Dunedin, but all the reclaimed land in the city, including land up to the Dunedin railway station, and up to parts of the University of Otago.

He suggested a "barrage" across the harbour that would take advantage of a natural bottleneck between Port Chalmers and Portobello.

The barrage would link Goat and Quarantine Islands, trapping water in the upper harbour during high tide and releasing it at low tide. That would deal with sea-level rise at the harbour end of the city, and could include turbines to produce electricity.

The beach end of the city "could be saved in some engineering manner".

"You only need to go to Holland," he said, where technology had been developed to keep the North Sea out of the country.

"I'm quite sure if you got consultants from Holland they would come up with ideas to stop sea ingress."

DCC Update: March 2010

2010-03-17T16:43:00.000+13:00

Update: March 2010

There have been some fluctuations in sand levels at the western end of Ocean Beach, with a small 'step' created by wave action near the Salt water Pool.

The regular access routes to the beach are all accessible at the present time, with sand levels at the St Kilda end actually starting to form additional dunes. With the more settled nor' easterly weather we have been enjoying recently, it is likely that sand will continue to build up while the settled weather continues.

remaining untouched

2010-02-05T11:05:00.001+13:00

A check in with the recovery of the Sand Dunes abpve, and below: Glorious Sunny day at St Clair on the 5th.

DCC Update - January 2010

2010-01-26T17:15:00.000+13:00

There has been a steady accretion of sand over the length of Ocean Beach since late December, although there has been a small 'step' created by wave action at the eastern end of the beach. The regular access routes to the beach are all accessible at the present time, although there is so much sand at St Kilda it is actually impeding access a little. This additional windblown sand will be shifted in the next week or two. With the more settled weather we have been enjoying recently, it is likely that sand will continue to build up over the next month or two.

Research continues into the best options for the future management of the Ocean Beach, and the Project Team tasked with carrying out this research will be reporting back to the Council later in the year.

DCC Update - December 2009

2009-12-26T17:14:00.000+13:00

Sand levels have remained constant and high throughout December. During the last two weeks of December, regular south-westerly winds resulted in a slight reduction in the sand levels at the salt water pool end of the seawall, re-exposing some rocks, but the same winds have also resulted in an increase in the sand deposits at Lawyers Head. At the time of writing of this report, the sand bar, usually just off shore, had moved landward creating a very wide, flat beach at low tide.

Access to the beach remains available at all points, however access via the accessibility ramp might be difficult due to a slight drop at the bottom. Sand levels on the beach continue to be monitored regularly.

Ocean Beach has continued to remain popular with New Zealand Sea Lions and even Leopard Seals. Please keep an eye out for advisory signs (with an outline of recommended behaviour around these animals) that are now in place.

Public to Have Say on Coastal Reserves

2009-12-07T12:22:00.002+13:00

From the ODT By Chris Morris on Mon, 7 Dec 2009

Submissions must be received by the Dunedin City Council
before 5pm Friday 12 March 2010'

Members of the public have until mid-January to have their say on a new management plan for coastal reserves around Dunedin.

Dunedin City Council staff have identified 11 coastal reserves across the city - including at Brighton, Karitane, Long Beach, Ocean View, Waikouaiti and Warrington - to be reclassified under the council's draft coastal dune reserve management plan.

The change would result in the reserves' status being changed from recreational areas to local purpose (coastal protection) zones, providing new powers to protect the sensitive areas at the expense of some recreational rights.

Councillors at a recent meeting of the community development committee voted to approve the draft management plan, containing the reclass-ifications, for a two-month period of public consultation.

Depending on the number of submissions received, a public hearing could follow.

A report to the meeting by council reserves policy and planning officer Dolina Lee said the change aimed to protect and preserve the dunes while providing for recreation where possible.

Under the Reserves Act 1977, local authorities were required to classify the primary use of the reserves they owned.

Speaking to the Otago Daily Times earlier this year, council community and recreation services manager Mick Reece said changes in the reserves' status recognised the importance of protecting the coastal environment from flooding, erosion and other threats.

"You can't recreate if the dunes disappear and you are inundated, so the primary driver for managing the reserves should be coastal protection," he said.

Consultation was the latest step in the development of the draft plan, stretching back to 2002.

Approval of the reclass-ifications was needed by the Department of Conservation, and a final approval of the changes would be made at a subsequent council meeting.

DCC Update - November 2009

2009-11-26T17:14:00.000+13:00

Sand levels have recovered well, and at the time of writing this update, access to the beach is available at all points. Sand levels on the beach are being monitored regularly, and will be augmented on an "as required" basis over the summer.

Ocean Beach is also proving popular with New Zealand Sea Lions, and a number of these animals are frequenting the beach from time to time. Advisory signs (with an outline of recommended behaviour around sea lions) are now in place.

DCC Update - October 2009

2009-10-26T17:13:00.000+13:00

The generally high beach profile (the level of sand) on Ocean Beach continues. The track from the Esplanade end has been re-opened, and the steps to the beach have been reinstated. While there has been some sand loss, a good deal of the very healthy reserves of sand remained until recently.

The Project Team is reviewing the information that is being gathered as background for the Long Term Management Plan, and the program for completing the studies and preparing the Plan remains on track. The maintenance regime will continue as the information gathering process draws to a close.

DCC Update - September 2009

2009-09-30T17:12:00.000+13:00

The sand loss on Ocean Beach over winter months (July especially) has now been largely recovered. In the interim, the damage to the Reno mattresses (that provides protection to the toe of the dune at Middle Beach) was repaired, as was damage to that section of the rubble wall that had been uncovered. The repaired Reno mattresses and the reinstated rubble wall have been re-covered by sand, and the remaining machinery has now been removed from the beach.

Monitoring of sand levels will go on, and the maintenance regime will also continue on an 'as required' basis as the information gathering process concludes. The Project Team appointed to draft the Long Term Management Plan is now meeting on a regular basis, while the program for completing the studies of the beach, adjacent off shore environment, as well as the eventual preparation of the Plan itself, remains on track.

Building Up

2009-09-05T10:17:00.001+12:00

St Clair surfers would have noticed an incredible increase in the volume of sand being deposited at the base of the sea wall, and out into the break its self. I have heard it described at the beginning of the week as pipeline-like. below: a view the new Hotel on the Esplanade with sand build up. And the 6 dogs on the beach where Dogs are prohibited on St Clair Beach.
Pic at Bottom: Harbour dredging's have been deposited on the wharf the last few weeks and trucked to Moana Rua Rd where massive amounts have been dumped off the end to build up the toe of the dunes. This spoil has then immediately been washed into St Clair with the east swells. You can see the scarp at the base of fill.

ODT - Nature's way may be Middle Beach answer

2009-08-27T22:59:00.000+12:00

Nature's way may be Middle Beach answer

ODT Thu, 27 Aug 2009

The initial response to coastal erosion is often the construction of a sea wall, but Phillip Cole argues that will not do the job at Middle Beach. He advocates a policy of "managed retreat" instead.

Pictures and stories last month serve as a timely reminder to those who will decide the fate of Middle Beach when the project team discusses the initial results from the year-long gathering of data in September.

In an Otago Daily Times front-page report six months ago, the Dunedin City Council reiterated that it would be looking at a range of "hard" and "soft" options for Middle Beach and that it would not be ruling anything in or out in coming to a solution.

The different types of solutions will have their own sets of unique problems and financial costs, a fact acknowledged by the council. The time scale of several years before any construction can take place, however, is the most telling feature of all.

So where does that leave the Middle Beach problem? The stadium costs and other major project spends will leave the council with very little money for this project.

The council has stated that $400,000 over the next three years has been set aside to deal with the problems (already depleted by at least $60,000 due to the recent events) but, rather alarmingly, no money has been set aside for a long-term management plan, or indeed for the four years until "any construction can take place".

By default, then, the council may have to consider the option that wasn't mentioned in either story but was raised at the submissions hearing - that of a "managed retreat".

Often, the initial response to shoreline erosion is to build a sea wall.
A sea wall will not solve the problem at Middle Beach.
Sea walls force waves back to the ocean.
These waves take the sand in front of the sea wall and deposit it far away from land.
The water in front of the sea wall gets deeper and makes for bigger waves next to the shoreline, so you always have to build larger sea walls.
The sea will always win this battle, because the force of water will always be stronger than any sea wall.
Adopting a managed retreat policy at Middle Beach will be successful if it begins at a grassroots level.

An open and honest approach will have a successful outcome, as it will involve all major players in the planning process and address their concerns.

Although the process will take time, a consensus can be reached that will enable a managed retreat to be the best alternative to solving the long-term problems of Middle Beach.

Indeed, this could take place in the "several years" before any construction takes place, as quoted in the newspaper report.

One could argue that consultation at a local level could have already begun since the submission hearings in April 2008 to hear and consider the views of the people that will ultimately be affected by whatever action the council decides upon.

A golden opportunity presents itself to the council here.

An integrated planning strategy can be developed where people affected by the erosion can be relocated into new sustainable housing developments where they would no longer be affected by the current sewage, drainage and flooding problems that will continually arise whenever there is a downpour in South Dunedin.

Property owners who would be affected could have compensation paid at market rates for their properties, or "swap" their current homes for new ones built to replace them.

Managed retreat, in the case of Middle Beach, is an important soft engineering coastal defence technique which aims to achieve sustainable flood defence by creating new defences further inland and allowing the land behind the existing sand dunes to be flooded by the incoming tide.

The existing coastal defence, in this case the sand dunes, would be breached, allowing the land to be tidally inundated and colonised over time by salt marsh vegetation. When established, the vegetation disperses wave energy during storms, reduces erosion rates and provides an important habitat for coastal flora and fauna. A new embankment is usually constructed beforehand on the landward side of the site to reduce the risk of flooding.

It is widely recognised that managed retreat of a shoreline can reduce the costs of coastal defence while offering numerous environmental benefits. Managed or "planned" retreat allows the shoreline to advance inward unimpeded. As the shore erodes, buildings and other infrastructure are either demolished or relocated inland. In many situations attempting to stop erosion through structural or non-structural solutions is a losing battle.

Shoreline protection efforts and/or their repeated maintenance would be too costly and ultimately ineffective at preventing further erosion. A managed retreat approach typically involves establishing thresholds to trigger demolition or relocation of structures threatened by erosion. The advantage of a managed retreat system is that it is usually less expensive than costly structural stabilisation projects that may only be a temporary solution, especially in highly erosive areas such as Middle Beach. It also maintains natural shoreline dynamics and enables shoreline habitats to migrate inland.

There are no direct costs, aside from the removal of any defences already in place, and maintenance costs are very low. The inter-tidal region is able to dissipate wave energy and protect property and land, while supporting a wide variety of plants, invertebrates, molluscs, birds and fish. Sediment flow is also restored to its natural state; beaches can be naturally replenished due to erosion of the coast, providing protection and the balance of the coastline returns.

Yes, this method can be politically difficult to implement, particularly where significant development has already occurred. It may cause shorefront property values to fall. With an in-built political and institutional preference for "hard" engineering schemes this solution will face a lot of opposition.

But what came first - the shoreline or the buildings? The future, as we all know, is unknown. Scientists forecast sea level rises, but there are unknowns that could rapidly change their forecasts. Therefore, the traditional approach to design cannot be applied to Middle Beach, simply because historical data is less applicable.

A change in outlook is required by how people plan for such challenges, how the community accepts the change, and crucially, how our council involves the communities to adapt to change. Rising sea levels do not come into the equation, as most of South Dunedin is currently below the present sea level.

The council has an opportunity here to be both forward-looking and bold in its search for a solution to the problem. History has shown that man cannot control nature, especially where sea action is concerned and the council should take this on board when looking for a solution.

As the council parks and reserves team leader Martin Thompson said (ODT, 16.01.2009): "We are at the mercy of the sea, basically, in terms of what sort of storm events we get . . ."

A sobering thought indeed.

DCC Update - July 2009

2009-07-30T09:04:00.001+12:00

The high beach profile (the level of sand) on Ocean Beach for the first half of the year has proved invaluable in recent weeks. While there was some sand loss in the early part of winter, a good deal of the very healthy reserves of sand remained until recently. Much of it was stripped away by the strong winds and high tides experienced during July. With the removal of that sand buffer, a section of the rubble wall has been uncovered and there has also been damage to the Reno mattresses that provided protection to the toe of the dune at Middle Beach. The Reno mattresses are being repaired, the rubble wall reinstated, and sand levels at Middle Beach are being topped up on an 'as required' basis.

That maintenance regime will be continued while the information gathering process draws to a close. A Project Team has been appointed to study the information that is being collated for the Long Term Management Plan, and the program for completing the studies and preparing the Plan remains on track.

Moana Rua Rd slip

2009-07-29T09:30:00.006+12:00

Encroachment by heavy seas checked
ODT By Allison Rudd on Mon, 27 Jul 2009

It was estimates $50,000-$60,000 had been spent at Middle beach in the past few days trying to protect rock mattresses laid at the base of the dunes, which had been exposed by last week's heavy seas, and trucking in sand dredged from Otago Harbour and tipping it down the face of the dunes.He estimated the width of the dunes had decreased by 2m-3m in the past two years.The end of Moana Rua Rd fell away last Thursday, and the face of the dunes was now close to a large fence erected in 2007 to stop people from using a dune-top track which has also since succumbed to the sea.

It was difficult to believe the Moana Rua surf club building had once sat between the end of the road and the beach, he said.

"When we demolished that [in 2001] there was a lot of criticism. People said it would have made a good restaurant. But the area it was sitting on does not exist any more."

'High alert' as beach battered

2009-07-26T23:47:00.000+12:00

full ODT article online here By David Loughrey on Sat, 25 Jul 2009
An ODT online poll was also run

Is Dunedin's beach erosion a sign of climate change?

2009-07-25T13:22:00.000+12:00

From a POLL at the Otago Daily Times Sat, 25 Jul 2009
Below are two comments related to the POLL

Sand Erosion - Submitted by jade on Sat, 25/07/2009 - 9:05pm.

I have lived in Tomahawk for 35 years from 1960 to 1995 and lived right across the road from the sandhills. During that time I have seen the line of dunes going down to such an extend that I circulated a petition expressing concern at the excessive sandmining that occurred. (I believe it is still going strong). The Ocean Grove Domain Board members rubbed their hands in glee at the goldmine at their doorstep and took no notice of the petition that was signed by 95% of the residents. When we amalgamated with Dunedin I wrote to the Dunedin City Council expressing my concern at the continuing sandmining and the erosion of the dunes. I received an answer from a Mr Archer who wrote that the Dunedin City Council shared my concern and that something would be done as soon it came under the Council's jurisdiction. In 1995 I left Tomahawk, disappointed with the lack of action as the Dunedin City Council despite their promises, did absolutely nothing. I believe that the erosion at Tomahawk beach is not only caused by nature, it also did have a mighty helping hand by the continuing sandmining over so many years

Beach Erosion - Submitted by MikeStk on Mon, 27/07/2009 - 11:19am.

It really doesn't matter whether it's caused by global warming or not - the fact is that peak high tides are eating away the only protection South Dunedin has between it and the Pacific. And all the we really have there is a pile of sand.

It's not like peak high tides like this are not predictable (hint: all the fuss about solar eclipses is a little related, tide tables are readily available). Let's face it if the sand loss continues for much longer we're going to have to build something like a concrete dike from St Clair to Lawyers Head.

As I've mentioned in this forum before I think this is potentially the most pressing problem the council has before it - it's quite scary to read that they've not budgeted anything for the issue - instead we're blowing our piggy bank on vanity projects like the stadium - any sensible local body should have reserves for just this sort of occurrence or should have anticipated the problem and have planned ahead.

CH9 - Swells Undermine Sand Dunes

2009-07-24T20:27:00.001+12:00

Channel 9 news - July 24, 2009 - 7:41pm

Council Contractors have been working to minimise the effect of erosion on Middle Beach which has occurred because of high tides over the past few days.

Local sports fields at Hancock park are in danger of becoming part of the coastline after the exceptionally high tides and winter swells have undermined sand dunes.

On Wednesday, this pile of rubble was sitting at the base of the dunes, but that pile has been brought forward to create a shock absorber to the force of the waves.

These developments are seen as a temporary measure, as the Council is currently gathering data in order to come up with a long term solution to erosion in the area from St. Clair to St. Kilda beaches.

Ocean Beach Photo Update

2009-07-24T20:22:00.000+12:00

UPDATE 25th July 2009 article from ODT
"It's as serious as it's been since the emergency [in 2007]."
Contractors next week would build a new mattress and place it behind and beneath the existing ones.

Above: today looking down towards St Clair, below, compare to a series of images over the last 2 years from a similar spot. Although the beach profile is lowered, there does not seem to be such an effect on the St Clair end, with most of the erosion around Moana Rua Road. Also a bit further along where the Tahuna outfall pipe was, has been gouged out more than the rest of the beach .

Above left: pulled back view , right: closer view of the digger work at Moana Rua, where in the last two days they have delivered truckloads of sand over the edge of the road, and replenished sand over the rock mattresses and boulders recently exposed at the base, as seen below:

Two days ago

Above photo taken on Wednesday from the base of Moana Rua Road at Middle Beach, note the scattered boulders on the sand at the base. Also the exposed rock mattresses. Significant lowering of beach profile.
Below left: the digger arrives, and first thing it tasks to is to dig up the scattered boulders on the sand(as seen in pic above)and place them on top of the rock mattresses. They are now all gone. Now, I understand that removing these actually cause more erosion. I was told that this was done at St Clair when they were building the new sea wall. Rocks were removed from the shoreline which caused significant lowering of the beach profile. They are actually needed to retain sand. Any thoughts on this?

Above right: damaged and exposed rock mattresses.
Article "Tides flood roads, erode dunes" at ODT.
Below, today St Clair, a good fill of sand at the base of the sea wall.
Motel progressing well, I think its looking pretty good!

Ch9 news - Erosion Threatening Middle Beach

2009-07-21T20:36:00.000+12:00

Channel 9 News - July 21, 2009 - 7:16pm

Work is currently underway on Middle beach between St Kilda and St Clair, as erosion is threatening to undermine the sand dunes keeping the sea at bay from South Dunedin.

The issue has been a significant one for the city over the last few years, and is adding pressure to the Dunedin City Council to come up with a long term strategic plan to combat it.

Beaches set for protected status

2009-07-15T14:20:00.000+12:00

Otago Daily Times
By Chris Morris on Wed, 15 Jul 2009
Eleven of Dunedin's coastal reserves look set to be given new protected status, at the expense of some recreational rights, in an effort to protect vulnerable sand dune systems.

The move would see coastal reserves next to beaches at Long Beach, Ocean View, Warrington and Karitane, and seven other locations, reclassified.Under the Reserves Act 1977, local authorities were required to classify the primary use of the reserves they owned.However, councillors at yesterday's community development committee meeting voted to approve the reclassification of 11 coastal reserves around the city from recreational areas to "local purpose (coastal protection)" zones.

Subject to final approval at the next full council meeting in August, the changes would become part of the council's draft Coastal Dune Reserves Management Plan, due to be released for public consultation in October.The new plan laid out the future rules governing work to protect dunes at Dunedin beaches.

To be protected

• Kuri Beach (two areas on coastal side of Taieri Mouth Rd)
• Brighton (coastal side of Brighton Rd)
• Ocean View (coastal side of Brighton Rd)
• Island Park
• Ocean Grove (coastal side of Tomahawk)
• Te Rauone
• Long Beach
• Warrington
• Karitane
• Waikouaiti (in the vicinity of Matanaka Dr)

Community & Recreation Services Report

2009-07-14T17:41:00.001+12:00

DCC Update - June 2009

2009-07-01T13:19:00.001+12:00

The usual winter weather has caused a significant reduction in the beach profile (sand levels) on the Ocean Beach.

There is no cause for concern, but the area is now being monitored more frequently. The Council's applications for retrospective consent for emergency works on the beach (carried out in 2007 and 2008) have now been heard by the Otago Regional Council, and their decision is expected shortly. Much of the background data and studies needed for the Long Term Management Plan have been collated, and a Project Team been appointed to review this.

Further information is still coming to hand, and the Project Team's review should be completed before the end of the year. The draft Management Plan will then be submitted to the Council and released to the public for consultation.

DCC Update - April 2009

2009-05-01T13:19:00.001+12:00

The City Council's applications for retrospective consents for the erosion control work at Ocean Beach have been scheduled for hearing by the Otago Regional Council at the end of June. (Specific details of those works were set out in the February 2009 update.). As previously advised, most of the comprehensive studies needed before the Long Term Management Plan can be prepared are now to hand. The studies will be completed later this year. In the near future, a Project Team will be appointed to consider the data that has been collected to date.

DCC tackles beach erosion

2009-04-21T14:18:00.000+12:00

Otago Daily Times
By David Loughrey on Mon, 21 Apr 2008
Accepting the eventual inundation of Kettle Park and a "managed retreat'' from properties in the St Kilda area are two of the more controversial methods suggested to deal with the erosion of Dunedin's beaches.

Those, and the views of 49 others, will form the basis of a Dunedin City Council hearing during the next three days into an issue that has attracted strong interest among beach users and the wider public.

The hearing is a response to investigations into stabilising the beaches, made more urgent last year when large portions of the sandhills were washed away during a stormy winter, leaving a perilously thin strip protecting Kettle Park.

DCC Update - March 2009

2009-03-31T14:18:00.002+13:00

There has been good progress with the various studies required before a long term plan for Ocean Beach can be developed. Many of these studies are now to hand, and the remainder should be completed over the next few months. When the information from all studies is available, options for a long term plan for the Ocean Beach will be identified. Meanwhile, favourable weather conditions over the last few months have meant that overall sand levels on the beach are as high as they have been for decades.

This is especially pleasing, as it should allow time for the Council to identify and measure all matters that may affect the management plan for Ocean Beach, rather than risk having to respond to any individual issue in isolation.

Beach consent sought

2009-03-17T14:14:00.000+13:00

Otago Daily Times
By Chris Morris on Tue, 17 Mar 2009

The Dunedin City Council has applied for retrospective resource consent to avoid any possibility of a legal entanglement over emergency beach repair work at St Clair and Middle beaches almost two years ago.

The consents, lodged with the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council, were for a series of projects undertaken following storms in 2007, which caused severe erosion and threatened parts of Kettle Park.

The consents covered the transportation of rocks and sand to the eroded areas, the construction of rock "reno mattresses" to protect the beaches and dunes, and the removal of clay from the area for safety reasons.

The consents also allowed for more work to be undertaken should a repeat of the erosion occur this winter.

Yesterday, council parks and reserves team leader Martin Thompson said the five-year consents would cover the time it was expected to take to finish new beach management plans for the area.

DCC Required surveys and assessments

2009-03-12T12:38:00.000+13:00

The Council will be carrying out the following surveys and assessments in order to gather as much background information and data as possible.

Topographical GPS survey

Information on dune position, beach elevations and volumes over the total four-kilometre length of Ocean Beach is required for a number of reasons including:

Base information required for computer modelling of sediment transport, shoreline response and plan shape evolution
Determining the long-shore variability of recent beach and dune changes since the ORC airborne LIDAR survey in 2004. This is required for calibration of shoreline response and plan shape evolution modelling.
Determining medium-term changes to beach elevations and dune positions at the location of the six ORC profile sites at Ocean Beach, which have been surveyed periodically since 1989.

Bathymetric survey of the near-shore environment

Information on the near-shore seabed topography is required for input into modelling of wave refraction, sediment transport, storm response and recovery, and sea level rise effects. There is existing information showing levels at 10 metre depth intervals, which is sufficient for offshore areas, but not detailed enough for the near-shore areas for depths less that the 20 metre contour.

Review of coastal processes data

There was useful data and information on coastal process and beach responses in the material presented as evidence to the St Clair Sea Wall and Tahuna Outfall project's consent applications. This information as the Council proceeds on additional investigations, as it may provide some or all of the required information.

Determine sediment characteristics

Information on sediment size and sorting is required for input into the sediment transport and beach response modelling, and for evaluation of some possible protection options, such as beach re-nourishment.

Top of this page

Establish Cam-Era site

Changes in near-shore bar formation and rip cell location are important for determining the presence and location of erosion "hot spots" along the shore. Due to the difficulty and costs of surveying in the surf zone, it is proposed that the best way for collecting information on the nature and scale of these changes is to establish a Cam-Era site. This is the automated collection of digital images of the shorelines and surf zone at hourly intervals from a fixed site. These are then rectified and analysed by specialised computer software to quantify dynamic changes in beach, bar, and surf behaviour. The local site requirements include sufficient elevation, power and telephone supply. The maximum distance of a camera to the beach under investigation is in the order of two kilometres.

GIS mapping of past shoreline positions

The mapping of past shorelines over the whole length of Ocean Beach will identify the scale to which human interventions have affected shoreline position and shape, such as the influence of the St Clair Seawall, Middle Beach landfill and sports field development activities, and the construction of John Wilson Drive.

Top of this page

Determine landfill rubble locations and extent

This would entail a ground penetrating radar survey of the dune environment at Kettle Park and John Wilson Road to determine the extent of rubble buried under the dune system that may be exposed with future shoreline movements (also see Historical/cultural/social research below).

Wave refraction and sediment transport modelling

This is needed to reduce uncertainty about the nature of the inshore wave climate and the magnitudes and directions of sediment transport in various wave conditions. This information is required for inputs into storm response and long-term plan shape evolution modelling, and for the evaluation of different long-term management options.

Storm response modelling

Storm response modelling will qualify the range of potential responses of the beach and dune environment to storm events. These responses will vary depending on the size and direction of the storm event, and the antecedent beach conditions (eg height and volume). This modelling will include any changes to water levels and wave climate as a result of predicted sea level rise. The output of this type of modelling is required to test the likely success of the various long-term solutions and their likely impacts on the beach under these conditions.

Top of this page

Future shoreline modelling

Future plan shape evolution modelling is required to predict how Ocean Beach may respond in plan shape in the future to the forecasts for wave climate, sediment supply and transport, and sea level rise over the next 50 years. The modelling can include plan shape responses to future management options such as additional seawalls, groynes, beach re-nourishment, and offshore breakwaters.

Analysis of potential sand sources

A number of the possible long-term options will require additional volumes of sand to be placed on the coast or in the near-shore at Ocean Beach for beach re-nourishment. There is a need to investigate risks to adequate supply, including volume, suitability such as grain size, colour and lack of contaminants, transport routes and methods, whether road, pipeline or boat, dumping location such as behind or on the beach, or in near-shore and possible storage options.

Summary report and analysis of data

This will be a report summarising the data collection and modelling. It will present these in the form of a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats) analysis.

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Historical/cultural/social research

Research into the historical, cultural and social aspects of Ocean Beach is necessary. It should be carried out as a project to produce a bibliography of historical and cultural information on Ocean Beach, available to the project team responsible for drafting the long-term plan.

This research also satisfies the recommendation from DTec Consulting Limited/Shore Processes and Management Limited for a historical review of documents, files and photos of Ocean Beach Dunes and hinterland including Kettle Park Landfill and Sports Field Development. This allows a more complete understanding of the modification of the Ocean Beach dunes by human intervention and better understanding of the changes that have lead to the current situation.

Ecological assessment

An ecological assessment will be carried out to provide advice on options for appropriate ecological management for the rehabilitation of areas likely to be affected by physical works, re-nourishment programmes and recreational use.

DCC Update - February 2009

2009-03-01T13:34:00.000+13:00

The Council is applying for consents from both its own Planning Department and from the Otago Regional Council for erosion protection works at Ocean Beach. These works are part of the holding pattern that was put in place to protect the sand dunes following the emergency erosion control works undertaken in 2007. This holding pattern will remain in place while a long-term plan for Ocean Beach is developed. The consents applied for also include retrospective consent for the emergency works undertaken in 2007, and the applications will be publicly notified on 14 March 2009.

The emergency works and holding pattern include the following:

The transportation of rocks and sand and stockpiling of sand at 2 locations adjacent to the beach.
Deposition and contouring of sand on the beaches.
The storage of machinery in the Kettle Park area.
The construction of a Reno Mattress to protect the existing sand sausages and additional Reno Mattresses where necessary to protect vulnerable parts of the beach.
Removal of the clay capping and rubble for safety reasons.

Healing Sands

2009-02-19T18:42:00.000+13:00

Time heals all wounds, nature is taking its' course in replenishing the sand at ocean beach.

Cam-Era Webcams by NIWA at Ocean Beach

2009-02-10T13:27:00.000+13:00

Cam-Era – St Clair A

Cam-Era – St Clair B

Updated every 30 minutes.

from NIWA website
Ocean Beach is a 3 km long sandy bay in south Dunedin running from the St. Clair headland in the west to Lawyers Head in the east. The beach, located just 4 km from the centre of Dunedin city, is the main recreational beach in the region, being popular for surfing, swimming, and walking. At St. Clair, the Esplanade is popular with visitors for the numerous restaurants and cafes, while in the centre and eastern end of the bay the former back dune environment has been developed into sports fields and golf links.

The beach faces due south, and is exposed to the dominant south westerly winds blowing off the Pacific Ocean and frequent high energy southerly storm events. Sand is transported to Ocean Beach by a prevailing southerly current and the dominant southwest swell conditions.

In pre-European time, the Ocean Beach area was characterised by small sand deposits at the western end, increasingly large sandhills to the east, and a hinterland dominated by a lagoon and swamps. As early as 1876 sand was being removed from the dune to fill the low-lying hinterland to meet the growing needs for housing in the developing city. There has also been a long history of coastal erosion issues at Ocean Beach: breaching of the dunes producing sea flooding in the low-lying hinterland suburbs was reported in the 1880s and 1890s; a seawall has been present at St. Clair since 1888; and dune stabilization using brush fences and marram plantings was first started in the 1890s. These erosion issues have continued at periodic times over the last 100 years, with episodes of rapid dune erosion being interspersed with periods of stability and dune growth. The last major erosion episode occurred in 2007, when up to 20 m of dune retreat was experienced, and an estimated 200,000 m3 of sand was removed from the dunes and beach. As a result of this erosion, the DCC were forced to undertake emergency works to protect both public and private assets.

As a consequence of the 2007 erosion episode, the DCC have embarked on an investigations programme to better quantify the nature and magnitude of the coastal processes operating within Ocean Beach, which will allow better decisions on future beach management to be made. The Cam-Era project is part of this investigations programme, producing much needed real time information on wave conditions, movements of rip currents, and beach responses. Without the Cam-Era site, this type of data would only be available from irregular visual observations, photographs, and beach surveys, none of which are able to supply a continuous picture of coastal processes and beach responses.

DCC UPDATE - JANUARY 2009

2009-02-01T13:35:00.000+13:00

Favourable weather conditions over the summer to date have meant the volume of sand on the beach continues to rise steadily.

In the meantime, focus group meetings with key stakeholders continued during December and January, with the final group of meetings with these stakeholders scheduled for mid- February. Ecological studies (fauna and flora) of the area has now been completed.

That report on the area's ecology will be the first of a number of comprehensive reports to be received that will eventually provide the information and data needed for the draft plan for Ocean Beach.

All erosion options in DCC focus

2009-01-16T18:22:00.000+13:00

From the Otago Daily Times website
The Dunedin City Council says it is looking at all options as it plans the defence of the city's most popular beaches from erosion caused by pounding Pacific waves. Study of the shape of sands to come A multimillion-dollar extension of the St Clair seawall as far as Lawyers Head, to protect St Kilda and Middle beaches, is among extreme "hard options" council staff say cannot be ruled out, while a host of "soft solutions" each come with their own problems. Council parks and reserves team leader Martin Thompson said yesterday a series of projects aimed at gathering data about the state of the three beaches was either finished, nearing completion or soon to start.
The work began in the months after a dramatic series of storms in 2007 caused significant erosion in the area - repeated when the storms returned last year - and threatened to send parts of Kettle Park crumbling into the sea. The projects launched in response included the work of two University of Otago students, who were conducting a monthly GPS survey, mapping the form and volume of sand on the beaches and how it changed over time. Also planned to start soon was a survey using ground-penetrating radar to locate the edges of the old landfill under Kettle Park, parts of which had been exposed by the severe storms in 2007, Mr Thompson said. The projects tied in with work already completed, including mapping the seafloor offshore from the beaches, ongoing monitoring of rip tides - which influenced erosion "hotspots" - and weather information from automated cameras at St Clair. Mr Thompson said the data would then be used in hydrodynamic computer modelling, mapping the impact of possible solutions - from a seawall extension to simply restocking the area with sand - on the beaches over a 50-year period. Other measures to be modelled included the construction of an offshore artificial reef, to dissipate the power of waves, he said. The modelling was expected to begin once the council established a new project team to co-ordinate the next stages of the work, possibly as soon as June this year, he said.
However, it could take the best part of a year to identify the preferred solutions and prepare a draft report recommending the best options to councillors, he said. The initiatives would then be presented for public consultation, and possibly become the subject of a resource consent hearing, meaning any construction could be several years away, he said. The data collection and modelling work had a budget of $335,000 for this year, but some of the possible solutions could be "quite expensive". Extending the St Clair seawall - considered an unlikely example, but one that could not be ruled out - was likely to cost "tens of millions of dollars" and raise significant aesthetic questions, he warned. "That would be a huge cost and maybe quite a structurally intrusive solution." Smaller "soft solutions", such as continually re-stocking the beaches with dredged sand, would be cheaper and less intrusive, but might mean "sacrificing" some vulnerable parts of the coastline to the sea, he said.

It was too soon to say what the likely measures taken would be, or what the exact cost could rise to. "We are not ruling anything out and we are not ruling anything in."In the meantime, the council had an annual budget of $400,000 to maintain a "holding pattern" of remedial work in the area, but the beaches remained vulnerable to further erosion in another series of big storms, he said. "We are at the mercy of the sea, basically, in terms of what sort of storm events we get . . . "If we get a run of storms again this year, we could be back in a situation where we are getting a lot of erosion."

Study of the shape of sands to come

2009-01-16T14:11:00.000+13:00

Otago Daily Times
By Chris Morris on Fri, 16 Jan 2009
Large volumes of sand may have returned to Dunedin's most popular beaches, but the picture being painted by two University of Otago students may soon show if it is here to stay.

The pair, Teresa Konlechner and Charlotte Kidd, are engaged in a GPS survey of St Clair, St Kilda and Middle beaches, which aims to build a three-dimensional digital model showing the shape of sand deposits on the beaches.

The work is the latest in a series of monthly surveys undertaken by students, contracted to the Dunedin City Council, since last year's severe storms caused more erosion problems, stripping sand from the area.

And it's surprisingly tough work - the students cover up to 22km each day while taking up to 4000 measurements in the hot sun, and have survived close encounters with curious locals including, earlier this week, an angry sea lion and her young pup.read the rest of the article here

DCC UPDATE - December 2008

2009-01-01T13:35:00.000+13:00

The surveys and investigations scheduled for Ocean Beach in 2008 are now complete.

A full topographical survey has been completed, together with a bathymetric survey. The automated Cam-eras are running, and the pictures from them should be available for viewing though the NIWA website. Tenders closed on 12 December for Hydrodynamic Modelling, which is the study into such elements as wave refraction, sediment transport, and the effect of storms on the beach. This will be part of the further research into the dynamics of the beach in the New Year.

There has also been good progress with a series of Focus Group meetings with the key stakeholders, and these will continue into 2009.

As these studies progress and the information base grows, the Council will continue to liaise with the Otago Regional Council and the Department of Conservation to identify the best solution for the Ocean Beach.

As previously advised, the results of these studies will form part of a draft plan for the Ocean Beach which will be fully consulted with the community before it is formally considered by the Council.

28th December 2008

2008-12-30T22:44:00.000+13:00

Sand returning to St Clair beach..

Possible new Residents Group

2008-12-15T18:42:00.000+13:00

Ocean Beach 100 years Ago

2008-12-10T14:25:00.000+13:00

Otago Daily Times Wed, 10 Dec 2008

100 Years Ago

Click photo to enlarge

Harvest time at Springfield Estate, Methven, where 23 binders were at work. - Otago Witness, 30.12.1908.

The Ocean Beach is a scene of incessant warfare between land and water, and an annual inspection of the frontier of silver sand shows to what extent one or the other has prevailed.

The Ocean Beach possesses remarkable characteristics, one of which is the undertow that makes it such a dangerous place to bathe from, and incidentally shifts so many tons of sand.

For this the tremendous inrush of billows to the Brighton Bight is mainly responsible.

The heaped-up waters find an easy egress by the narrow channel between White Island and Forbury Head, through which they pass at the rate of three miles an hour, thus causing a scour, which, though felt most severely at St. Clair, affects the whole foreshore right down to Lawyer's Head.

Were it not for the Ocean Beach Domain Board, a high spring tide, accompanied by a heavy gale from southerly, might result in a flooded St. Kilda.

A buffer has been found in the sand, swept to and fro by the sea and blown about in clouds by every wind.

Not a very stable material but with a little ingenuity and a great deal of perseverance the Domain Board has succeeded beyond expectations.

Scrub fences were erected to act as revetments, and the sand drifted and covered them, precisely as it blotted out the cities of the Pharaohs.

More fences were made and in turn covered, and the coarse, hardy sand grass, spreading and growing steadily, served further, as it were, to bind the compact.

• A strong, respectable-looking man came before the Benevolent Trustees yesterday, and, with the homely burr of Scotland, asked for aid.

He was 30 years of age, was married, and had been employed as a warehouse measurer in Glasgow.

Times were bad there, and he had scraped together enough money to pay his passage to New Zealand.

Having had experience of work in woollen mills, he applied at the Oamaru, Roslyn, and Mosgiel mills in vain.

On Monday he had walked in from Mosgiel, after having spent Sunday night in a stable, and was now literally starving.

He broke down then, and the big manly frame, weakened by hunger and the long, vain search for work and independence, was shaken with weary sobs.

The trustees promised him immediate help, and sent him off with a coin, cheered and grateful, to buy himself a good square meal. - ODT, 10.12.1908.

DCC UPDATE - NOVEMBER 2008

2008-12-01T13:36:00.000+13:00

The two research studies that were commissioned recently are now well underway.

The first of these (the ecological study into fauna and flora) should be finished before the end of 2008, while the second research program (studies into historical, cultural and social elements) will take some months to complete.

The next steps in the latter studies include further consultation with the public and community groups. Letters are being sent to those groups now, inviting them to attend focus group meetings that are being arranged for late November/early December.

Discussion at these meetings should help identify key community aspirations for Ocean Beach, the foreshore and the Domain generally.

A full topographical survey of Ocean Beach was carried out in late October as part of the long term planning process for the Beach, and a bathymetric survey should get underway next month.

Separately, a 'Cam-Era' site has been identified, and two cameras have now been installed that are providing digital, time lapse photos of the beach and surf lines on the Ocean Beach.

The images provided by these cameras can be seen on the NIWA website (opens in a new window).

DCC Update - October 2008

2008-11-01T12:37:00.000+13:00

The very necessary research into the best solution for Ocean Beach is now well underway.

In the last few weeks studies have been commissioned into the historical, cultural, and social, elements that will help us understand how human intervention in the past might have affected the present situation. An ecological study of the area is also underway. Following discussions with NIWA (the National Institute of Weather and Atmospheric Research), a Cam-Era site has also been selected. This will provide time lapse digital images of the shoreline and surf zones to locate erosion 'hot spots'.

A full topographical survey of Ocean Beach will be carried out this month. Work is also underway to carry out a bathymetric (sea floor) survey off Ocean Beach later this year or early in 2009.

Most of the above projects should be completed by March 2009, and will help us to prepare a draft long term plan for the management of the Ocean Beach. As previously advised, there will be further public consultation with the public before the reviewed plan is presented to the Council for consideration. It is only at the end of that process that consents for the long term plan will be sought.

Top breaks to be national parks?

2008-09-26T14:40:00.000+12:00

copied from stuff.co.nz
Six of the country's best surf breaks are just a short ride away from getting national park status. By PHIL HAMILTON - The Press | Friday, 26 September 2008

Under the Department of Conservation's proposed coastal policy, the six surf breaks of national significance Shipwrecks in Ahipara, Raglan, Stent Road in Taranaki, White Rock in the Wairarapa, Mangamaunu near Kaikoura and Papatowai in the Catlins would become protected surfing reserves.

However, the Christchurch City Council has opposed the move at hearings this week despite none of the breaks falling within its boundaries.

(pic: CORY SCOTT/The Press - NOT EXPENDABLE: Daniel Kereopa, of Raglan, drops into a giant wave at Papatowai in the Catlins, one of six breaks that could get national park status.)

Christchurch surfer and lawyer Jonathan McCarthy, who will speak at the hearings today on behalf of Surfing NZ and Surfers Environmental Advocacy, said it was essential the breaks were protected as other surf spots had been considered expendable in the past by local and central government.

He cited the Whangamata marina controversy and a famous wave in Mundaca, Spain that disappeared after dredging to deepen a harbour destroyed the sand bars.

"Literally overnight they destroyed one of the world's greatest waves," he said.

"That is the equivalent of climbers no longer being able to climb Aoraki or Everest."

He said surfing reserves were the only way of ensuring waves were protected, with both access by surfers and the swell guaranteed. It would prevent such activities as high density mussel farms or sand dredging that could ruin a wave or block the swell getting in.

McCarthy said New Zealand trailed Australia which had already established surfing reserves in New South Wales and Victoria.

Long-time Christchurch surfer, photographer and teacher Warren Hawke said it was an idea whose time had come.

"It's timely it happens now because of of the growth of things like mussel farming," he said.

"It's really important recreational users of the sea, their use is protected in the future.

"As they say, we are caretakers for our children."

The 55-year-old, who is the principal of Governors Bay School, first surfed Mangamaunu in 1969 and said it deserved to be included among the nation's six best spots.

"It's the classic Rincon-style (in California) point break, it's very well known, people can see it from the main road and tourists often stop there to watch the surfers."

Hawke said he would like to see Banks Peninsula's Hickory and Magnet bays also made surfing reserves.

Christchurch council healthy environment programme manager Jenny Ridgen said the council was not opposed to surf breaks but to the principle and approach of protecting one particular leisure activity.

"This is just one of many issues along with diving spots and fishing spots," she said.

"But it seems to have been given specific preference and our concern is it sets it above other things that are equally important to others."

Ridgen said the council believed the protection of nationally significant surf spots would come under another policy that covered the maintenance and enhancement of natural sites of particular value for outdoor recreation.

"We don't think it's good policy."

The hearings will conclude in mid-December and recommendations for the coastal policy will then be sent to the Minister of Conservation.

Spring on the Esplanade

2008-09-20T14:43:00.000+12:00

Spring is into gear, new things continue to pop up everywhere, and leave.
The sand is back on the beach in front of the sea wall, thanks to some recent east Swells.

The Motel is slowly growning, with concrete prefab panels being slotted in strategically like a house of cards.

Below, a little taste of the finished product.

The old white house next to the Esplanade Apartments was recently sold, and is being gutted out and converted into a cafe.
Developer is Stephen Chittock.. Pic to left was taken off the ODT website Source article here: on Fri, 1 Aug 2008.
"Development of the fourth of six potential licensed premises at the St Clair Esplanade is under way, with an estimated $400,000 conversion of a $1.3 million house into a bar and cafe making good progress.

The modest raised beachfront home, owned for decades by the Thomas family, was recently purchased for $1.3 million. Chittock has in recent years purchased nine of the 11 residential properties within the Esplanade block and owns the beachfront motels and Mansions apartment block. It will have seating for 80 indoors, 30 in a courtyard and 20 on a deck with a conservatory area in front of the existing facade. To be named Swell Cafe. "

Ocean Beach Erosion Update

2008-07-28T14:37:00.000+12:00

I haven't reported much recently on the erosion management saga at Ocean Beach. Pretty much after the last public consultation rounds in April I realised there is nothing a single member of the public can do to make a difference to any outcome.
This was verified a few weeks back after I received the Emergency Response Teams minutes of their meeting over the public submissions made.
The deliberations recorded that the following be investigated and implemented:
* St Clair Sea Wall - information on the consent process, in particular why an offshore reef was rejected.
* Monitoring and analysis on the failure of the ramps and stairs.
* The formation of John Wilson memorial Drive.
* Items for funding
* Ongoing communication and work with the community, including the formation of a group of 'Key Stakeholders'
And that the information and Data gathering process outlined in the 13th November 2007 report from the Parks and Reserves team leader be confirmed and approved. View here pg 8
(Note, nothing new, nothing less)

What got my goat was; attached to the above meeting minutes was a short council written summary of some of the public submitters from April. In these what some said was twisted, misquoted and dotted with inaccuracies.
This affirmed that these submitters were not properly listened to or understood, which is both a disappointment and a negligent act of disrespect.

10th June 2008 Community Planning Committee meeting on Ocean Beach Public Feedback

Above & below: 10th of July, more sand replenishment, see article above, another $40,000 worth.

Below, some images from the 18th Of June 2008

Below: 5th Of February this year

Hotel taking form

2008-06-21T14:45:00.000+12:00

A foggy morning before work.

significant loss of sand

2008-05-28T09:32:00.000+12:00

Dunedin beaches seriously eroded

ODT By John Lewis on Thu, 8 May 2008

Dunedin City Council parks and reserves team leader Martin Thompson said there had been significant loss of sand and some localised erosion, which had exposed the sand sausages to the east of the wooden groyne.

‘‘Work to recover these will be carried out over the next few days, along with the transportation of dredged sand to replenish the stockpile at the eastern end of the beach,'' he said.

The top of the ‘‘reno mattress'', which was installed near Moana Rua Rd in July 2007, had also been exposed. However, no significant erosion had occurred at this stage.

Since last June, the council had spent nearly $1.2 million on repairing and controlling the erosion, and about 30,000 cubic metres of sand had been moved or replaced in the area.

DCC Considering Plans ..

2008-04-24T17:32:00.000+12:00

.. For The Future Of The City's Main Beaches
source link
April 21, 2008 - 5:34pm

Solutions ranging from a solid rock wall to an artificial surf reef are being considered by the Dunedin City Council, as it plans for the future of the city's main beaches.
Hearings on stabilising St Kilda, St Clair and Middle Beaches began today, with more than 30 people and groups asking to speak to the hearings panel.
Erosion of the beaches became a hot topic last year, when large portions of the sand-hills were washed away in Winter storms, leaving a sheer cliff between rugby fields at Kettle Park and Middle Beach below.
The beaches were put in more danger, after someone vandalised emergency measures put in place to protect the sand-hills.
The Council hearings committee will make recommendations to an emergency response team looking for a solution.

Sea wall's effect comes under fire

2008-04-23T14:27:00.000+12:00

Otago Daily Times
By David Loughrey on Wed, 23 Apr 2008
The St Clair sea wall's effect on erosion, and support for an artificial reef to help the problem, came through strongly at a hearing yesterday trying to find ways to hold on to Dunedin's sand.

Several surfers emphasised the sport's popularity, and the degradation of the beach since the new sea wall was built.

The second and last day of public submissions, before city councillors Paul Hudson, Colin Weatherall and Dave Cull, was held yesterday, at a hearing that is part of investigations into stabilising the city's beaches, which were badly eroded during storms last year.

Issues that came up regularly from submitters included claims land reclaimed near the St Clair Salt Water Pool had added to the erosion, and affected the surf break.

Nicola Reeves, a surfer, has been writing a blog about the erosion, and researching the issue. She suggested using Holmberg Industries' technology of "undercurrent stabilisers'', and also called for dune development with plantings, even if it meant the loss of Kettle Park.

Holmberg is a United States-based company that has approached the council offering its services, and uses low-profile geo-textile tubes placed at an angle perpendicular to the shore, designed to baffle the sea's energy.

Ms Reeves questioned the public submission process, and claimed submitters had not been listened to during consultation on the sea wall.

public submissions Ocean Beach Management Plan

2008-04-22T18:02:00.000+12:00

Today and tomorrow, the members of the public who made submissions to the Ocean Beach Management Plan will have their 15 minutes each to speak to a panel about their submissions made.
The tree that was sent out with the copies of each submission was interesting reading, with suggestions ranging from letting the beach engulf South Dunedin and relocate the residents and businesses permanently, to a sea wall right along to Lawyers Head with a railway line/boardwalk on top of it, a series of offshore reefs, realigning the sea wall in the pool carpark corner, sand pumping and replenishment, getting rid of the sportsfields and creating a natural dune system again. And of course soft shore protection installed by Holmberg.

Personally I favour the one submitted by the Otago Judo Alliance, who have kindly volunteered to offer their members as sandbags.

Protect our Local Otago Surfbreaks

2008-04-03T16:26:00.000+13:00

Get off your complacent butt!
If you want to continue to enjoy your beloved local surfing breaks, you need to start acting on an individual level to benefit the collective whole and ensure that our Otago surf breaks and swell corridors are preserved. Don't think that 'someone' will take action to ensure that these surf breaks are not destroyed by avoidable man-made environmental disasters.

A once in ten year opportunity has arisen with the revision of the NZ Coastal Policy Statement. This statement guides the management of the coastal environment under the Resource Management Act. Council planning and resource consent decisions must adhere to the policies in this statement.

NZCPS - Policy 20
SURF BREAKS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

The surf breaks at AHIPARA, RAGLAN, STENT ROAD, WHITE ROCK, MANGAMAUNU AND PAPATOWAI which are of national significance to surfing shall be protected from inappropriate use and development by:

a) ensuring that activities in the coastal marine area do not adversely affect the surf breaks and;
b) avoiding, remedying and mitigating adverse effects of other activities on access to and the use and enjoyment of the surf breaks.

The New Zealand Surfbreak Protection Society says of the already proposed protected surf breaks:
"Of course many surfbreaks are missing and the breaks also need specifying as to their proper names and location. This is where you can help.

In preparation for its submission workshop in April, Surfbreak urges all surfers, be it as individuals or clubs, to let Surfbreak know what breaks you consider should be prioritised for national importance in your region and included in the NZCPS. Please provide names and exact location. An opportunity for a review like this only comes around every 10 years, so here is our chance for protection of our breaks at national level!"

Now I can think of a number of surf breaks around Otago/Dunedin that are currently under threat, having already experienced a dramatic change in character in recent years.
Murderers- the dumping of dredged sand from continual Otago Harbour dredging at Haywards Point has seriously changed the characteristics of the breaking wave with sand build up along the rocks.
Aramoana - sandbanks further offshore created from dumped dredging sand have dissipated the swell reaching the inner surfing banks.

Currently the Otago Harbour Board is conducting a public consultation process due to their intention to begin a massive environmentally impactful mission to deeper the Otago Harbour to allow massive ships to enter. The massive volumes of dredging will be dumped not far offshore and will quite possible have an even greater adverse effect on the North Harbour Surf Breaks. Did I say massive? This is BIG stuff. Having just one of these northern breaks protected under the NZCPS-policy 20 as a 'surfbreak of National Importance' - would legally ensure that any proposed future activity would not compromise at all the quality and natural charactistics of these breaks.

St Clair - A surf break of National Significance? debatable?
It has many unique characteristics, proximity to a major city, quality of waves popularity and public use. St Clair suffers from ongoing issues of water contamination, adverse effects created by the Sea Wall redesign on surfing banks with a marked deterioration of the quality of surf (ask the old guys). Severe erosion over the last two years, loss of a dry sand beach, loss of amenity value and others issues which pose a serious physical danger to members of the public.
St Clair is just an example of how a surf break can be progressively ruined by an un-reigned consent process. (Remember with the public consultation in 2001 and subsequent consents granted, we were assured there would be no adverse affects on the environment or amenity value)
We are facing more future consent applications which may again have an irreversible and detrimental affect on St Clair and St Kilda in the future.

Lets protect what we love, because the DCC and ORC don't seem to care!

DO you care?
What are you going to do?
I would be very grateful to receive any comments on this blog post.
- What it was like at these breaks 5-10-20 years ago
- Changes you have observed
- Your willingness to back a submission.
- Any other comments
or email me privately at phoam.arts (at) gmail (dot) com

If you have not seen my other blog Save Ocean Beach - I suggest you pop over and check it out.

Consultation closes: 5pm on the 7th May 2008
How to make a submission:
Link to Submission Form

Any person may make a submission on the proposal. You may do so by sending a written submission to:

Board of Inquiry - Proposed New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement
C/- The Department of Conservation
PO Box 10 420
WELLINGTON 6143

Submissions may also be emailed to submissions.nzcps@doc.govt.nz
Your submission should state whether you support or oppose the proposal; any changes that you want made; and reasons for your views. Your submission must state whether or not you wish to be heard on the submission.
Your submission should include your name, postal address, phone number and (if applicable) email address.

Download Publication

Proposed New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2008 (PDF, 5910K) (High resolution file)

Proposed New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2008 (PDF, 171K) (Low resolution file)

Great surf needs protection

2008-03-18T18:52:00.000+13:00

By RYAN EVANS ryan.evans@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Tuesday, 18 March 2008
source link
Taranaki's world-renowned surf breaks are set to receive official recognition in the region's new policy statement.

The New Plymouth Surfriders' Club says the region's waves should be protected as virtually irreplaceable natural features and a submission to the Taranaki Regional Council calls for policies protecting the breaks, their water quality and public access.

(pic from www.wannasurf.com)

"Outside of Hawaii, Taranaki has more quality breaks per kilometre than anywhere else in the world," club secretary Allen Pidwell says. "With the shape of our coast, it makes it almost like an island with a number of world class breaks. It's really quite unique."

Mr Pidwell says the breaks need protection from physical developments such as coastal dredging or aquaculture farms and from coastal subdivisions which can restrict access.

The TRC has proposed changes to the draft statement to reflect the club's submission, meaning any future coastal plans must consider the breaks as natural features needing protection.

The TRC has also highlighted the need for consultation and agreement with landowners over access.

Pic from (www.lostinthe60s.com)

Mr Pidwell says the surf breaks are vital to the region's character and economy through the success of advertising and the Surf Highway 45 concept.

"If you don't protect your natural features, then why advertise it? It's the same as the mountain and the national park."

The Regional Policy Statement provides guidelines on environmental matters throughout Taranaki and is required for all regional councils under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Taranaki's existing policy statement was the first to be approved in New Zealand and has been effective since 1994.

The 10-year review of the statement began in 2003.

There were 35 submissions received, including the New Plymouth Surfriders' Club's, when submissions closed in November 2006. A further 21 secondary submissions were then received by the closing date in April last year.

The TRC's report on submissions, including proposed changes to the statement, will now be sent out to all submitters for consideration.

Pre-hearing meetings will be held over the next two months before any changes are adopted.

___________________________

I can't support enough the members of the New Plymouth Surfriders' Club's, having the vision to protect that which they value, their surfbreaks. If only more clubs around New Zealand had the same vision.

NZers to have their say on coastal development

2008-03-11T15:49:00.000+13:00

Press Release: New Zealand Government -Monday, 10 March 2008, 8:14 am

source link

A Board of Inquiry has been appointed to get public feedback on a new national policy statement, which will guide councils on how to manage development along our coastline.

Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick has appointed the board to carry out public consultation on a draft New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, which will update the 1994 statement.
The document guides the management of the coastal environment under the Resource Management Act. Council planning and resource consent decisions must adhere to the policies in this statement.
Steve Chadwick says coastal development is an issue that most New Zealanders feel very strongly about, and this consultation is about making sure the guidelines reflect what communities want for the coast.

“The Labour-led government believes it’s important to protect New Zealand’s stunning coastline, and make sure that development doesn’t destroy what we love about it. This process allows every New Zealander to have their say about the new Coastal Policy Statement.”

The new Statement aims to be clearer and stronger than the 1994 document, and to address issues that have become more pressing over the past decade, such as coastal subdivision and climate change.

Examples of what the statement requires councils to do include:
Protecting surf breaks of national importance
Reducing impacts on endangered species; for example, Maui’s dolphin Working closely with local iwi to protect certain aspects of our coastline Principles to guide coastal subdivision; for example, to reduce ribbon developments or destruction of natural values.

The draft statement is now available at www.doc.govt.nz.

The Board of Inquiry is taking written public submissions until 7 May, and public hearings will be held later this year.

Steve Chadwick says this opportunity comes along only once every 10 years, and urges everyone to have their say in what kind of development should happen along our precious coastline.

“This will make sure that the management of our coast reflects what people in our communities want.”

Background information:

What is the NZ Coastal Policy Statement? The New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS) sets out the policies that guide the work of councils managing activities and development along the New Zealand coastline.

The document states national policy on the management of the coastal environment under the Resource Management Act. Council planning and resource consent decisions must adhere to the policies in this statement.

Who is on the Board of Inquiry? The Chair of the Board is Alternate Environment Court Judge Shonagh Kenderdine. The other board members are: Rikirangi Gage, Executive Director of Te Runanga o te Whanau Tribal Authority, Eastern Bay of Plenty David Hill, Director of Hill, Young Cooper Ltd, Auckland Philip Woollaston, former Minister of Conservation and MP and Mayor of Nelson.

What has happened so far? The current New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement (NZCPS) was issued in 1994. An independent review in 2003-04 found that while the statement had been useful, it needed to be updated, strengthened and clarified in some areas.
After a pause for RMA reforms in 2004-05, the Department of Conservation released an issues and options paper for submissions in 2006. In 2007, a draft NZ Coastal Policy Statement was prepared. The Board of Inquiry has now been appointed, has called for submissions on the draft statement. The new statement is designed to better address the current issues being faced by coastal communities.

What is the timeframe and what will the Board of Inquiry do? The draft document is available at www.doc.govt.nz. The Board of Inquiry is taking written public submissions until 7 May. Public hearings will also be held later this year for people or groups that want to speak in support of their submissions.
The Board will consider all submissions and is due to report to the Minister in late 2008. The exact timing depends how many submissions are received and how complex the issues raised are.

What are the issues the new statement will address?
Key issues include: Growing demand for coastal space and resources Concern about the nature of some coastal subdivision and developments Increased awareness and planning for climate change Water quality Resources of particular interest to Maori Public access to the coast The need to protect New Zealand’s natural coastal environment and its plant and animal life.

What is the cost of this process? The Board of Inquiry process is expected to cost between $300,000 - $400,000, depending on how many submissions are received and how many hearings are required.

View the 1994 NZ Coastal Policy Statement here

Read about the debate over the definition of the preservation of 'natural characteristics' of the coastline from the original NZCPS here

GRANITY - The coastal town that's being washed away

2008-02-29T18:46:00.000+13:00

GRANITY is on the West Coast of the South Island.
Reported on Campbell Live on:
Mon, 24 Jul 2006 08:00p.m.
link source

"With three and a half metres of land being claimed by rising seas each year, the residents of Granity on the West Coast fear their homes are under threat. NIWA says nearly a third of our entire coastline is in danger of erosion.

So how can we preserve what we've got?"

Shore Protection Examples

2008-02-29T08:45:00.000+13:00

We have just received the video and narration from David l. Schultz, P.E (Professional Engineer) who lives in America. He has extensively studied the benefits and effects of Holmberg Technologies; Undercurrent Stabilisers for shoreline protection.
The video explains more about the effects on the shoreline with the use of vertical sea walls, groins and rock revetments.

How to make a submission, what is required

2008-02-23T21:41:00.000+13:00

Ocean Beach Feedback Form - please provide details
Submissions close at noon on 29 February 2008

This is not a submission on a resource consent application.

The purpose is to get feedback on the proposed data collection.

Your Name and Address Fields are required and must be provided.

(( words in brackets are intended as a guide ))

FEEDBACK

We/I agree disagree (please choose)
with the proposed data collection for the following reasons:

( the data collection referred to here is listed in this link. I feel its hard to choose either agree or disagree here as there are many differing options. Many studies have been conducted in the past, but no ultimate 'all encompassing' comprehensive studies. Despite the fact that an ultimate study of the Ocean Beach area has been requested repeatedy since 1908. )

We/I would like the following data to be collected:

( here is where you suggest further data that in your opinion needs to be collected to guarantee an all encompassing/comprehensive study which will enable a sucessful anaylysis of erosion management options. Not many of us are qualified geomorpholigists/coastal engineers, so good luck.)

We/I suggest the following could assist the Council:
(please include name, area of expertise and contact details)

(here you suggest any other information you may have from observation or experience of the Sea and Wave action in a historical perspective. AND also suggest any alternative erosion management options. Personally I support Holmberg Technologies and their undercurrent stabilisers as an option for investigation by the council) .


		We/I value the following about the Ocean Beach area:

(basically here add what you value, eg: wide sandy beach, natural dune system, walkways public access, the quality of the surf waves and any values assets you appreciate about the area)

Any additional comments:

(any other issues you wish to bring up eg: fears, legislation, cost, global warming etc)

We/I would like would not like (please choose)
the opportunity to speak verbally to the Panel considering this information.

(hearings will be held through March 2008, don't be shy)

The Panel can can not (please choose)
contact me if it has any questions in relation to this feedback form.

(your choice)

SUBMIT

Points to consider:
1. funding has already been approved in January for the proposed data collection.. this is around $300,000 ..
2. Under the Resource management Act the Councils have guidelines as to what is required for public access and amenity value for the reserve area. Also in the NZ Coastal Policy Statement.

Easy come, easy go

2008-02-23T19:56:00.000+13:00

Storms Have Further Eroded Parts Of Ocean Beach
From Channel 9 Website - February 20, 2008 - 8:57pm
source link
"Storms at the weekend have further eroded parts of Ocean Beach, an area previously troubled by high seas and storm damage.

The rough weather has exposed more than 20 meters of the sand sausages, which were placed on the beach last year after storms caused substantial erosion.
The DCC says contractors are once again replacing sand which has been washed away.
The council says the large sea swell the coast has been experiencing will ease this week."

.. Easy come, the recent big East swells moved sand back in along Ocean Beach raising the beach profile, even allowing for a period of dry sand at high tide. Easy go, the weekends' southerly storms over the weekend stripped away a decent footage of the beach, exposing the rubble placed at the end of the sea wall and again lowering the beach profile, allowing the high tide to affect the base of the sea wall.

Above: Thursday at low tide, truck loads of sand await placement, with the newly repaired and extended steps in the foreground.

Above: wave refraction off the rip rap at the base of the wall closer to the Salt Water Pool, assisted in the agitation and suspension of sand, which was carried off to deeper water.

Above: Steep dune faces are showing new growth of vegetation, in the distance a digger awaits the return of the T-Rex truck to transport another load of sand to the freshly eroded dunes between the sea wall and and the poles.

At (I heard) $10,000 a day for sand replenishment, this is going to be a steep ongoing cost for us ratepayers for the next 4 years until the council decides on a long term 'solution'. A yearly 'holding pattern' budget of between $295,000 and $325,000 a year over this time went up for approval in January for the 2008-9 funding round.

Above: Sand replenished over the exposed rocks immediately adjacent to the end of the sea wall after storms over the weekend.

Above: Monday this week, after the weekend storm ate into the replenished sand placed to protect the damaged sand sausages.

Above: a few weeks back on the 5th Feb, after a couple of solid east swells had naturally replenished and raised the beach profile at St Clair.

2008-02-22T13:26:00.000+13:00

Storms Have Further Eroded Parts Of Ocean Beach

February 20, 2008 - 8:57pm Channel 9 local news story

Storms at the weekend have further eroded parts of Ocean Beach, an area previously troubled by high seas and storm damage.
The rough weather has exposed more than 20 meters of the sand sausages, which were placed on the beach last year after storms caused substantial erosion.
The DCC says contractors are once again replacing sand which has been washed away.
The council says the large sea swell the coast has been experiencing will ease this week.

wider beach profile

2008-02-06T20:05:00.000+13:00

Finally a notice is erected in an appropriate place to warn people of the danger of playing on the dunes. Action by the DCC has been called for since early August from members of the public both via email and the ODT letters to the editor.. my blog post.

Above two and below, recent East Swells have naturally replenished the beaches along the coast, especially noticable along the front of the sea wall at St Clair.

Below: a wider beach profile along from St Kilda to Middles can be seen.

Sea Wall gets Full Moon Firing

2008-01-26T20:31:00.000+13:00

Full moon action again, against the sea wall, some fiery sprays shooting up the wall.

St Clair Hotel Update

2008-01-09T16:44:00.000+13:00

update on the construction of the Chittock Empires' Hotel on the corner of The Esplanade and Bedford Street.
Two below, back in April/May in the days when the sun shone, and the ground was dry.

Below: The the 6th of June, great progress.

Above, the 18th June, precast panels to encase the lift shaft.
Below, the 10th of July

elevating sand

2008-01-06T20:33:00.000+13:00

the recent North East swells have pushed some elevating sand in at the base of the end of the sea wall.

Saving Beach For Future

2007-12-12T16:50:00.000+13:00

Channel 9 News Item - December 11, 2007 - 7:44pm

The beaches along the Ocean Beach stretch of coastline have shrunk over recent years, with storms causing major erosion, but the council hope to save the beaches for the future.

They've begun a process to find a long-term solution to the erosion from St Clair salt-water pool to Lawyers head.... starting with picking the brains of locals.

St Clair Erosion management UPDATE

2007-12-11T20:37:00.000+13:00

It will be mid 2011 .. a minimum of four years, before the Dunedin City Council is ready to apply for resource consents for the implementation of a chosen erosion protection method for 'fixing our beaches'.
Mick Reece's slogan 'No quick fix for beaches' (odt 20 July 07) has been made again last month in an article in the ODT (article below). The DCC Community Development Committee's second report since the July storm events and subsequent beach emergency was made at a council meeting on the 13th of November. Here is a link to the actual report online click here . This report was unanimously approved by the 12 city councillors in the presence of our re-elected Mayor, Peter Chin.

Why does it take an emergency situation for the city council to suddenly pull a (slow) finger to remedy years of well documented inaction?
Doesn't this long and drawn out process of deciding on a solution put our beach and the land assets behind it in a delicate and continual risk? - These assets I am talking about are the whole of St Kilda and South Dunedin, not just the sports grounds. Have we not just had a 'Beach Emergency' which is still in operation? With the real-time action of global warming/sea level rise and it's most threatening aspect increased storm events, is it too much of a risk to allow our already severely damaged coastal protection dunes and beach to be laid bare and vulnerable for four full years or more?
Now I do support that the council now wants to "do it once, do it right" to come up with a long-term sustainable solution to repair damage from continued erosion issues along Ocean Beach. Especially in light of the past events over the design of the new sea wall, it's continued failings, the controversy of its design, and the heightened erosion issues which have ensued since it's construction. Even though the then consultants OCTA assured that the adverse effects would be minimal in the resource consent applications.

[pic above: top frame, recovering from storm damage in 2002, and bottom frame, after some sand replenishment recovery work in August 07 with severely eroded dunes]

The Councils decision for this lengthy process is apparently due to the lack of hydrological data (wave action and sediment transport studies) on the Ocean Beach area. City Council has been advised by several independent experts to undertake these studies on many occasions over the last 100 years, and more essentially again prior to the design and construction of the new sea wall in 2002. It appears evident now, due to ongoing issues with the sea wall and sand retention, that the wall was not designed with the necessary hydrological data for it’s successful function:- erosion protection and preservation of the amenity value at St Clair beach.
* There are actually a number of studies specifically relating to the required data which were not used in 2002. In August 1999 a council meeting approved "$60,000, being the first of two allocations (totaling $120,000) for a hydrological study, be committed to the Esplanade Wall report as an authorised over-expenditure.” ~ what happened to these?
*I believe the data collection is a good move by the council, but my concern is the length of time with extended periods of public consultation and report commissioning. Especially since there is still an ‘emergency status’ under the Resource management act still in place where no notified resource consents are required for ongoing work.

BELOW: The time-line which is not on the online report, showing the 'Strategy Programme - Long Term Planning Process' as presented to the DCC by the Community Development Committee and accepted by the Mayor and City Councillors on the 13th November 2007.

More on the report: Outlined in the report was the approval of the current ‘Holding Pattern’ of sand replenishment and reno mattress construction where necessary for a period of four years whilst the council undertakes a comprehensive public consultation process and data collecting exercise before any kind of long term erosion protection is implemented. A first year data collection budget of approx $300,000 will be approved in January at the councils 2008 funding meeting.
So in summary: it will be at least another four years, the end of 2011, until the council will begin to implement a long term plan involving obtaining the necessary resource consents for the chosen erosion protection method/s based upon results from the data collection period. This 2011 resource consent process and probable periods of appeals and hearings may take many more years.

concerns:
1. That the already severely eroded dune system is unable to naturally respond to future storm events, and will remain vulnerable to storm events for a period of at least four years, placing the entire area of St Kilda and South Dunedin in danger of inundation. These storm events are likely to increase and hit with more severity in light of sea level rise and changes in the global environment - report by International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), such as we have witnessed this winter.
2. That the DCCouncil may find its self in a desperate state a few years down the track and be forced to construct hard structures such as breakwaters and or a sea wall along a major length of Ocean Beach.
3. That the Council MUST explore proven alternative solutions of erosion protection, such as 'Soft Shore' methods as recommended by the IPCC, who do not advocate the use of hard engineering structures. I fully support Holmberg Technologies and their soft shore protection system, which I have submitted to the council, only to be told they weren't interested at this point.

The engineering path of creating a healthy functioning sand dune system (preserving the natural characteristics of) and a wide healthy beach profile is paramount in preserving amenity value for both sports people and beach users. This will in turn will enhance the banks and provide for a better surfing experience.
The council is more concerned with retaining the sports grounds behind the dunes than preserving the natural characteristics of the dune system and beach. Hard engineering structures, like breakwaters, sea walls and groins will definitely protect the sports grounds, but will be a phenomenal cost for construction as well as an ongoing burden to ratepayers for ongoing maintenance. These hard structures will kill the beach (as can be seen in front of the new sea wall) and most likely adversely affect the surfing breaks.

Where to from here?
What can you do?
Step 1 - The first round of DCC public consultation Dec 07 – Feb 08: The public will be encouraged to comment on the proposed scope and content of the information needed to draft the long-term plan. ie: Feedback on proposed data collection & how we would like the beach to look (natural or engineered) and desired amenity value.
I will update the blog when these public submission forms come out in the next few weeks.

If you would like a comprehensive written and pictorial history of the Beach emergency since May 2007 on this blog, please click here Dune Erosion

Below is a one minute video of photographs of the severe progression of erosion at Ocean Beach from a series of South East Storms July to September 2007

Sand replenished

2007-11-10T20:25:00.000+13:00

Above: earlier in the week, a continued lower beach profile allows waves to attack the base of the covered sand sausages. Rocks have now been re-placed at the base in an attempt to defeat further erosion. Diggers and trucks have once again fully replenished the sand stockpile after it was depleated from covering the sausages the week prior.

Proposal – Sustainable Management Option - Ocean Beach

2007-11-10T19:44:00.000+13:00

Yesterday I sent through a proposal I have been jointly working on to the Dunedin City Council on behalf of Holmberg Technologies Inc.

RE: Submission – Proposal – Sustainable Management Option - Ocean Beach

Dear Mick

In response to the Dunedin City Council (DCC) public request for submissions on solutions for the sustainable management of Ocean Beach I hereby submit a Proposal and supporting information to DCC on behalf of, and in support of, Holmberg Technologies Inc.

Please find enclosed:
1. A proposal from Holmberg technologies Inc. for a Scoping, Option Design and Costing project.
2. Client testimony - John Ricciardi
3. Client testimony - Dr Thomas Straw

4. A DVD with
- Holmberg Video 'Saving Beaches' (7 minutes)
- Holmberg Technologies Inc. Scientific and Technical Reviews of Projects Study Booklet
- Article - 'alternatives to traditional ways of treating shoreline erosion'

- File Folder - animated gifs of artist impressions of Ocean beach before and after appropriate intervention by Holmberg Technologies Inc.
(Please note post intervention results have been verified as practicable by Dick Holmberg of Holmberg Technologies Inc. – with provisos)

4. An artist impression of ‘Middle Beach Beach Profiles’ demonstrating the potential effects and benefits of the Holmberg technologies Undercurrent Stabilizers™

5. Two digital artist impressions of 'before and after' implementation of a “whole of beach” option intervention by Holmberg Technologies Inc. across Ocean Beach.

Following are the contact details for the Cairns City Council Infrastructure
Engineer who requested a proposal from Holmberg Technologies Inc. and
indicated an interest in discussing a jointly funded AUS/NZ working visit
by Dick Holmberg late 2007 early 2008 with NZ Councils.
(contact details removed for blog)

I hereby make this submission in “good faith” and without any liability whatsoever as a concerned and responsible citizen in the interests of the community and the environment and declare that I have no commercial interest in Holmberg Technologies Inc.

I trust this submission assists Council manage the risks associated with this issue efficiently and effectively.
I advise that this submission will be posted on my internet Blog at www.phoam.blogspot.com
Should you have any questions and or require further information in relation to this submission, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to your response.

Nicola Reeves

_______________________________

SUBMISSION BELOW
_______________________________

Attention: Nicola Reeves

Dear Nicola,

I write on behalf of Holmberg Technologies Inc. to outline a Proposal for the development of sustainable, long-term, soft -shore protection options for Ocean / Middle Beach, Dunedin, for your consideration and pursuit with Dunedin City Council.

This Proposal follows confirmation from Dick Holmberg to you on 17 October 2007 that your artistic impression of Ocean and Middle beaches was practicably achievable through the appropriate intervention of Holmberg Technologies Inc.

This Proposal is also a response to the submission Tracey Crampton-Smith and yourself presented to the Dunedin City Council Community Development Committee on September 4th 2007 re coastal erosion management at Ocean / Middle Beach which for reference concluded:

"Coastal erosion methods such as 'soft shore protection' that have a proven track record of success in managing similar sites which can stand to open transparent assessment must be given urgent and appropriate consideration."

I confirm my previous information to you that I have recently responded to a Request For Proposal (RFP) from the Infrastructure Engineer of Cairns City Council, Queensland, Australia (AUS), for the intervention of Holmberg Technologies Inc. in that region, and, that this Engineer has indicated an interest in discussing with interested New Zealand (NZ) Councils, the sharing of costs for Dick Holmberg (and a contract Engineer where appropriate) to travel to NZ (as part of a joint AUS/NZ visit).

Our Proposal:
Soft-Shore Protection, Scoping, Option Design and Costing Project.

Outcome - The main outcome of this project would be coastal management design (and costed ) options for sustainable, long-term, soft-shore protection for Ocean / Middle Beach involving the intervention of Holmberg Technologies Inc.

Key Project Objectives - This project would have the following key objectives:

a/ Engage with Council and other key stakeholders to discuss and assess stakeholder needs, expectations and constraints etc.

b/ Conduct site assessments.

c/ Review and assess quantitative and qualitative, information (historical, anecdotal, technical and scientific) - (See Note 1 below)

d/ Develop soft-shore protection option performance criteria.

e/ Develop soft-shore protection design options including engineering concept designs. (See Notes 2, 3 and 4 below)

f/ Assess local construction logistics and constraints.

g/ Develop cost estimates for design options.

h/ Present options to Council. (See Notes 4 and 5 below).

Availability :

Holmberg Technologies Inc. would be available to commence this project as a NZ only or joint AUS / NZ project mid November to early December 2007 or mid January 2008.

Investment:

The estimated investment by Council for this project is (NZD): Consulting Fee: $100,000.00
Airfares (Return): US Consulting Team (Dick Holmberg + Engineer ) + NZ Consultant. = $32,000.00
+ Accommodation, Meals and local travel = 10 days = $8,000.00
Total estimated investment for Council = $140,000.00 + (excluding GST/tax).
Total estimated investment for Council with US Consulting Team travel cost shared with AUS Council = $126,000.00 (excluding GST/tax).

Notes:

1/ Council would need to provide all scientific, technical and historical information re the site (and immediate surrounding areas) and relevant erosion issues and organise other relevant matters (including meetings with people who may have historical information, Local and Regional Council Officers etc.) to facilitate this assessment.

2/ Engineering concept designs would be limited in detail by intellectual property constraints and will require further input (at additional costs) from Holmberg Technologies Inc. and their engineering advisors (without travel to NZ) at a later date for Resource Consent Application/Permit and construction purposes. Holmberg Technologies Inc. reserves the right to not include information the company considers is commercially sensitive and or secret.

3/ Holmberg Technologies Inc. reserves the right to limit the number of options

4/ The format of presentation would need to be discussed and agreed on with Council prior to commencement of the project.

I trust this Proposal assists in meeting the needs of stakeholders by providing a postive and pro-active way forward.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions and or wish to discuss any aspect of this proposal.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,

Chris Johnson, BBS.
Australasian Representative
For Holmberg Technologies Inc.

+0064-9- 5358066

$20,000 plus

2007-11-02T19:26:00.000+13:00

the trucks and sand movers and pushers have been hard at work the last few days replenishing the sand stockpile at Middles. Another $20,000 plus??

Beach Erosion Causing Concern For Council

2007-10-10T16:29:00.000+13:00

Channel 9 News Segment June 27, 2007 - 10:51am-
"Dunedin's coastline is paying the price for our recent wild winter weather.
Several of the city's main beaches are rapidly eroding, forcing Dunedin City Council to close the walking track connecting St clair to Middle and St Kilda beaches.
For the past few days, Council staff have been keeping a close eye on developments along the beach, and are suprised by just how fast the land is disappearing."

To View Media Story click here and open in a new window (51 seconds)

underway at St Clair

2007-10-02T19:44:00.000+13:00

Below: The two houses are gone, every scrap of their existance has been removed, the topsoil/sand has been stripped/levelled in preparation for the building work to begin on the Hotel development

Above left: another view of the prepared ground, Above right: From Forbury Road.. the new beauty salon's construction is well underway.. below, caitlin takes a photo on the wee pentax while driving past of the beauty salon. with her image caught in the wing mirror.

Dunes from a View

2007-10-02T19:42:00.000+13:00

Was taking photos for a painting project, and these were part of them, thought I'd share on the blog.. Gorgeous views of the Esplanade with the Sea Wall leading on to the Dunes. You can see Forbury Park raceway in the distance of the first photo.
The Two sportsgrounds on either side of Moana Rua Rd in the second one, and the third is pretty much the same.. but nice to see a high tide dry-sand line has returned to the beach

The sand scarps are still clearly visible, and from this view the closeness of the sports grounds is startling

Waldronville Sandmining and Sewerage

2007-09-24T18:45:00.000+12:00

Above and below.. the 'Emergency Outfall' for the Green Island sewerage treatment plant.
Looks like the sand has been recently removed from in front of the outfall area which discharges straight on to the beach.

The Green Island Sewerage treatment plant was up-graded to secondary treatment with UV disinfection and the marine outfall was extended out in the year 2000 to 850m offshore at Waldronville. This emergency outfall pipe still appears to operate.
As this is a restricted coastal activity a resource consent permit is required to discharge up to 103680 m3/day of treated effluent to the Pacific Ocean. This is via the newer 850m Waldronville sewerage outfall pipe.
Below the Dunedin Gun Club and the Dunedin Pistol Club operate on the reserve area at Waldronville, Here a Permit for sand mining is in operation, the scar is easily visible at the back of the firing range.

Also ( left below) there is another site for sand mining a short walk to the right of the range behind the pistol firing range. (right below) the above pit from another angle.

Below, nice to see a planting programme taking place in the dunes beyond the gun club.

Trucking out the Old

2007-09-17T18:48:00.000+12:00

Below:
ready to truck out.. the house on the corner.. stripped of its bricks, and parted from its foundations.

Middle Dune Contouring

2007-09-12T17:45:00.001+12:00

A large barrier fence was erected at the end of Moana Rua Road last week 13th September, and new signs were erected to alert the public to keep out. However there are no signs at the beach entry points that are accessible by people at the St Clair or St Kilda ends.

Above when the new fence was erected I tried to photograph it, but it was night time.. previously the only sign up to warn the public was the one (above left) advising to take care of the planted native pikao. Also above left: a damaged fence obstructs a public access way to the beach.

Above: Recontouring of the dunes to skim off the top of the unstable fill layers making them safer to the public is finally underway. Assuming here that this is just a small portion of what needs to be done to repair the dunes, and there is alot more work to be done.

Above: A section of unstable dune and a section of re-countoured dune, which is still mainly comprised of soil fill material.
Below left: Fill material skimmed off the top of the dunes during re-contouring is stored for removal at Kettle Park Road. Above right: from the beach at St Kilda, partially re-contoured dunes.

Above: pic taken from the end of the Salt Water Pool after the diggers went through taking off the unstable areas and creating a safer slope.
I still feel strongly there needs to be public education via the press and council erected signs on beach level entry points NOT to scale or disturb the dunes. Yesterday there were many people climbing the large sand store pile at Middles and jumping down it.

Esplanade development over time

2007-09-09T18:49:00.000+12:00

Foundations are now going up for the new beauty therapy business. On the section previously was the longest running commercial building in the area. It began its life as a store in 1884, and during its reign it switched hands many times alternating between a grocers and a telegraphist/telephone office until in 1961 when it became a hair salon 'Salon Susan' and then in 1965 'Kaylyn' Hairdressing Salon, then switching to the final tenant 'Wendy's Hair' this year.

Above right:: windows are coming out from the yellow house.

Above:: A photograph taken around the late 1880's, the two circled areas A/ where the new hotel development (see here) is going up now. B/ the building that was recently demolished (see here) to make way for the current construction above.
Below:: a comparison over time highlighting the encroachment of Seconds Beach Road towards the sea when the new sea wall was built.

Sand Cliffs a Public danger

2007-09-07T17:47:00.000+12:00

Below: The sand scarps looking from St Kilda towards St Clair, you can see the two large sand stockpiles hugging the cliffs.

many children even under the supervision of their parents were scaling the cliffs and knocking more sand down, I even spoke [nicely] to a few and they just ignored my plea for respect and the danger their children were in and let them carry on ripping up and down the very unstable dune faces, especially some of the capping hard fill at the top which was very precariously angled ready to fall at any time.
I wonder why there is no monitoring of these actions, or notices to stay off the dune/cliff faces its clearly a danger to the public.. and how can the public be so disrespectful to their environment?

Below: closeup of Moana Rua sand stockpile, with the offshore wind blowing the sand out to sea.

Erosion Management Submission

2007-09-05T18:51:00.000+12:00

Today I attended the Public segment of the 6 weekly Community Development Committee's meeting, where today they were to present the "Coastal Emergency Works" Summary Report. Present were the current city councillors, mayor, other council employees & various members of the public.
I have been working this week with Tracey Crampton-Smith, [both a mayoral candidate, and candidate for a South Dunedin seat on the DCC]. The five minute presentation, which Tracey presented was intense but effective. I put together a very short video version of the erosion that has occured at Ocean Beach the last few months which was played in the first minute of the submission.
Video Below::

Below:: is the written summary page 'conclusions' that we presented based on the content of the verbal submission presented today.

CONCLUSIONS

Ocean Beach [St Clair, Middle & St Kilda] is an artificially positioned, highly exposed, high energy site at high risk of coastal erosion and therefore requires urgent and effective management.

1. Increased storm frequency, unpredictability and severity along with predicted sea level rise and global warming will increase enormously erosion risk at Ocean Beach in the future without practicable and effective long term management.

2. Erosion management methods based on “Hard engineering” methods such as sea walls, sand sausages and rock baskets have consistently proven to exacerbate erosion and require ongoing ratepayer funding and maintenance. Sand replenishment is both financially unsustainable and unproven as a long term solution, and therefore these methods are high risk.

3. The Dunedin City Council consultants, Dtec, have suggested it would be negligent to commit ratepayer funds to the previous design plans and that finding a new remedy should be addressed with some urgency. Council and consultants have agreed they do not have a long-term solution. In 2001 the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the IPCC, recommended the application of 'soft shore' protection schemes and advised avoiding the use of 'Hard' shore protection methods such as vertical concrete walls and rock piles.

4. Alternative “soft-shore” methods of coastal erosion management based on “Natural process” (such as Holmbergs' Undercurrent Stabilisation method), have been developed and proven to provide effective management of similar sites overseas.

5. Public consultation must be actioned expediently so that a sustainable long term plan can be implemented without being preempted by the currently proposed 'holding pattern' consisting of sand stockpiling and rock baskets. However, the public should be given the opportunity to be consulted and agree on solution performance criteria.

6. Since the coastal zones affected by a solution will be fall under the jurisdiction of the Otago Regional Council and the Dunedin City Council both Councils should work jointly on this issue throughout.

7. Coastal erosion methods such as 'soft shore protection' that have a proven track record of success in managing similar sites which can stand to open transparent assessment must be given urgent and appropriate consideration.

DCC Looking For Public Submissons

2007-09-04T12:22:00.000+12:00

Channel 9 Website Article - September 3, 2007 - 10:35am
source link

The Dunedin City Council is asking for public comment and submissions on long term planning for St Clair and Middle Beaches.
Councillor Paul Hudson says the DCC is seeking local opinions and expertise rather than paying for advice from experts who don't live here.

It was just under two months ago, the DCC took emergency measures to stop further winter storms and strong seas undermining the sand dunes fronting Kettle park sports fields.

Tomorrow, Councillor Paul Hudson is expected to advise a committee meeting that the measures cost three quarters of a million dollars but another $400,000 is needed for follow up measures.

He says, the DCC has been inundated with information from the public about the history and suggested management of the area.

He says, he'd prefer to hear from locals rather than paid experts not from Dunedin and from the end of October they'll be formally seeking public comment.