Tairua, Pauanui and Whangamata Schemes Presented

A Coastal Management Plan has been drafted for Tairua, Pauanui and Whangamata to serve as a guide on how to manage beaches and estuary shorelines in this area that are more susceptible to coastal erosion.

The Management Plan was presented to the Tairua-Pauanui Community and Whangamata Community Boards this week.

This is a really good guide but we now need an action plan so we can see a defined work schedule, what needs to be done and how that will be achieved,” said Tairua-Pauanui Community Board Chair Bob Renton.

Very good work has gone into this plan but now we need to look at how we move forward,” said Whangamata Community Board Deputy Chair Terry Walker.

The general recommendations for the management of coastal hazards are:

For ocean beaches:

  • Dune restoration and management on ocean beaches. Particular guidelines need to be given to development of dune restoration for central and southern areas of Pauanui where little to no natural dunes exist;
  • Coastal erosion in Whangamata can generally be managed using setbacks and development controls and ongoing dune restoration and management but certain sites may require their own specific strategies;
  • Dune areas dominated by invasive exotic species at all sites are require particular attention as these species displace native species, which are more effective in keeping the dunes in place.

For estuary shorelines:

  • That coastal erosion can generally be managed with “soft” approaches, specifically beach nourishment and readjustment when necessary;
  • Existing engineering structures can be softened using beach nourishment and unnecessary and unsound, unsafe structures should be removed over time;
  • New protection structures should be used as a last resort and typically where they are required to protect important public infrastructure or maintain narrow coastal reserves;
  • Minimum floor levels (including appropriate provision for future sea level rise over the design life of the dwelling) would be adopted in areas subject to coastal flooding;
  • Recommendations for protection and enhancement of public access and recreational values are also provided for and opportunities to enhance ecological values should be taken where possible.

[mappress mapid=”20983″]