Save Ocean Beach

By David Loughrey on Sat, 1 Oct 2011

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.

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.

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.

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.

Channel 9 News - July 9, 2007 - 2:19pm

This afternoon DCC staff briefed council on the final cost of the emergency measures to save Dunedin's St Clair and Middle beaches from erosion.

Councillor Paul Hudson said the bill was $500,000 but that's only the cost of the current band-aid solution.

He says, no one can guess how much the final solution will be but it's the rate payer who has to pay.