More than a year after last January’s storms, work to fix the damage left in their wake continues.
“It’s been a long haul,” Franklin Local Board member Alan Cole says.
“Damage was done on both coasts and while some of it was able to be corrected quickly, other areas are still waiting. Sometimes you have to stop and ask if a quick-fix is not just storing up more problems for the future.”
Board member Sharlene Druyven says the work at Sandspit is a testament to the value of doing things right.
“The seawall failure was a disaster but the rebuild was done on time, improves coastal access and erosion management, and creates a wonderful amenity.”
Repairs are prioritised, low for areas with little risk of shoreline erosion or where existing management structures are adequate, medium for areas with minor evidence of erosion to the coast or structures, and high in areas where the shoreline shows extensive erosion and where structures have been significantly damaged.
On the Awhitu Peninsula, a lot of work has already done and consents are being prepared for more affected sites.
At Glenbrook a quick fix was ruled out and there is now a major project to replace existing coastal armouring with engineered erosion control, and at nearby Clarks a new breakwater that was part of the renewal programme is on track, and remediation work at Wilson’s Access should be completed within months.
On the other side of Franklin at Omana plans are being finalised to go to tender for the undermined footpath, which will be protected with rock armour revetment. Maraetai has had large-scale berm repairs and dune planting, while the footpath to the west of the wharf has been reinforced.
At Kawakawa Bay, feedback on beach renourishment is being sought, steps have been repaired and rock added, while coastal erosion experts have recommended the tipped rock seawall at Beachland’s Sunkist Bay be replaced with a rock armour revetment wall.
Experts were asked to consider a grouted seawall but said revetment was the best engineering solution and was more cost-effective at $3000-per-metre as opposed to $7000.
Board chair Angela Fulljames says residents might be disappointed since there was vocal support for a grouted wall.
“We have received expert advice that is detailed and specific around the advantage of revetment walls," she says.
Mrs Fulljames says the board accepted a request from her and fellow Wairoa subdivision members Amanda Hopkins and Malcolm Bell, that aspects of the plans be amended for amenity enhancement and that work on the boat ramps also be included.
