The report was co-authored by Jim Dahm of Eco Nomos, the advisor and specialist in soft options management of coastal erosion and Rob Brown of Shore wise Engineering Consultants after an initial round of discussions with FNDC and FNHL leaders and local stakeholder interests.
The report has 3 main recommendations:
- That the water of the roof of the Town Hall be diverted into the storm water system and that work has been completed by FNDC
- That urgent work be done to protect further damage to the cannon and the Butterfish site before the summer visitors begin to arrive as both site experience high use and need to be stabilised. In coming weeks, we will see activity on the beach front. This erosion has happened at these 2 points, and Far North District Council has agreed to fund some urgent remediation work. It will involve repairing and protecting the damaged bank and pushing up some soft material against the bank to stabilise the situation short-term. This work is hoped to be completed by the end of October, so we are ready for the summer season. This will help prevent further damage occurring until a longer-term solution
- That this report forms the basis of discussion within our community on what medium to long-term solution for our waterfront may be considered as we confront more coastal events and rising sea levels. The report asks us to consider potential 40-year solutions. There is no rush to decide what this might include. The report has several suggestions, and we have time to consult with local experts and landowners who have vast experience in this space and working to find an agreed solution. The goal is to have any long-term solution be agreed with Council then adopted by them so that it then goes into the District Council’s long-term 10-year plan. This would in due course, attract funding for any major work and provide an ongoing ability to reinstate the beach when these events occur within a fully consented and agreed process. The overall outcome we are seeking to achieve is to maintain the waterfront as a high value amenity space for all to enjoy for many years to come, just as it has been enjoyed by generations of local people and visitors in years gone by. The engagement process on these reports and how to move forward will not only include technical interests but also community and family interests is to watch priorities.
There will be a public engagement process during the months of September and October, and we will let you know those dates as soon as they are set.
You can read the full report by clicking here https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:AP:6454a0cb-6adc-4bdf-b083-93ea1774095c
We look forward to you taking part and hearing your opinions.
