The Trust had been concerned about the erosion on the waterfront for a number of years, with Trustee the late Tim Grant putting on an exhibition on sea level rise in November 2022. A particular concern was the erosion taking place by the cannon on the waterfront, opposite the Town Hall. This was experiencing significant deterioration after a number of winter storms.

Erosion and beach access on the waterfront was also highlighted as a key concern as part of the Placemaking project, as well as through the Destination Management Plan process. In August 2024 a working group was established as a result to figure out the next steps. Because any work on the waterfront requires Resource Consent from the Northland Regional Council, along with an Archaeological assessment from Heritage New Zealand, as well as comply with the Far North District Council’s District Plan, the first step was to commission a Coastal Process Assessment. Funders for this were the Far North Holdings, Far North District Council, Kororāreka Russell Wharf Trust the and the Placemaking Project.