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. 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 meetingProposed Management Options for Ocean Beach
Consultation documents
Consultation details
Closing date 25/11/2011 Contact person Business Development Team Leader Public feedback Public meetings
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
