A foggy morning before work.
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.
.. For The Future Of The City's Main Beaches
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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.
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.
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.
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)
By RYAN EVANS ryan.evans@tnl.co.nz - Taranaki Daily News | Tuesday, 18 March 2008
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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.
-Monday, 10 March 2008, 8:14 am
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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 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?"
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.
| Ocean Beach Feedback Form - please provide details Submissions close at noon on 29 February 2008 | |||
(( 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: | |||
| We/I suggest the following could assist the Council: (please include name, area of expertise and contact details) | |||
 | ||||
| | 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: | |||
| We/I would like would not like (please choose) the opportunity to speak verbally to the Panel considering this information. | |||
| The Panel can can not (please choose) contact me if it has any questions in relation to this feedback form. | |||
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.
Storms Have Further Eroded Parts Of Ocean Beach
From Channel 9 Website - February 20, 2008 - 8:57pm
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"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.
Storms Have Further Eroded Parts Of Ocean Beach
February 20, 2008 - 8:57pm Channel 9 local news storyStorms 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.
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.
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
the recent North East swells have pushed some elevating sand in at the base of the end of the sea wall.
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.
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
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.
