Plans for the future of Auckland’s 3200km of coastline are continuing to take shape, with two Shoreline Adaptation Plans (SAPs) for Āwhitu and Manukau South approved at the August Planning, Environment and Parks Committee meeting.
The council’s Shoreline Adaptation Programme is a series of 20 plans being developed across Tāmaki Makaurau, each providing a roadmap for managing council-owned assets in response to the impacts of coastal hazards and climate change over the next 100 years.
The plans are non-statutory, ‘living’ documents, developed in collaboration with mana whenua and using guidance from infrastructure providers, technical experts and coastal communities.
Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee Cr Richard Hills says it’s fantastic to see this programme taking flight.
“Recent extreme weather events have shown the importance of putting strategies in place now to increase Tāmaki Makaurau’s resilience against future climate hazards and invest in the right places and protect important taonga to mana whenua, local boards and our local communities.
Our Shoreline Adaptation Programme is a key part of this work and will help us to prepare for the effects of coastal hazards on our communities, infrastructure and environment.”
Since the launch of the programme in 2021, four full SAPs have been developed, including the Whangapāroa Pilot and Kahawairahi ki Whakatīwai Beachlands and East Pilot.
Manurewa-Papakura ward Councillor and Deputy Chair of the committee Angela Dalton says the choice of adaptation strategies for both Āwhitu and Manukau South reflect the values of local iwi, mana whenua and the community.
“Our much-loved southern shorelines hold great importance for our coastal communities, particularly iwi and hapū. That’s why it was critical these plans were developed in partnership with mana whenua and are tailored to the needs and concerns of our communities.”
The consultation process has included a series of events to identify community use and values, as well as mana whenua engagement with local iwi Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua, Ngāti Tamaoho, Waikato – Tainui and Te Ākitai Waiohua.
“We thank everyone who has provided feedback an input to help us protect our coastal communities for the future,” says Cr Dalton.
The approved SAPs for the Āwhitu and Manukau South shoreline areas include a range of adaptation strategies across the short, medium and long-term. These include ‘Hold the Line’, ‘Limited Intervention’, ‘No Active Intervention’ and ‘Managed Retreat’.
The development of the SAPs has demonstrated that most of the Āwhitu and Manukau South shoreline areas can be managed over the next 100 years with no active intervention, with limited intervention in areas where existing infrastructure can be relocated landward over time as it is routinely renewed.
The full Manukau South and Āwhitu SAPs will soon be available to read here.
Community consultation for the Pahurehure Inlet, Manukau East and North Shoreline Adaptation Plans closed earlier this month. All remaining SAPs will be developed over the course of 2024/2025.
For more information on Shoreline Adaptation Plans, check out the council’s website.
