Port Waikato erosion

Stormwater Resilience Fund progress  

We are close to getting started on two projects with the consent application lodged for both the slip remedial works and the open channel works at Ooraeroa Marae. The formal consent for the main pump station and outlet is due to be submitted during October.

With regard to the slip works about the Port store, we hope to be able to complete the formal agreement for the slip remediation with Sunset Farms shortly.

Our thanks go to the landowner next to Ooraeroa Marae who has given permission for the planting works needed, as well as allowing us to access the drain from their side during construction.

The design for the main pump station and outlet is progressing well and we will be confirming the pump order in December.

We are in the process of securing all the vegetation needed for planting, which will happen during May for all projects.

Next step is to progress the holiday park area stormwater pump station design (with no Regional consent required).

Adaptation Planning

At the recent public meeting, we mentioned that a community panel would be set up to work through future adaptation options. These options would be brought back to the wider community for feedback and further refinement.

Our team has put together a draft Terms of Reference that will outline the purpose and role of this panel and we will be working with the community to help put that group together over the coming weeks.

We hope that the first meeting of the new adaptation management panel will be during November, to discuss some of the existing adaptive work that has been done to date and any other work that needs to be done to inform us of the options before we engage with the wider community on these matters.

Car park and beach ramp

At time of writing, the application for resource consent for the nature-based solution has not been received but we are continuing to work with the group who is preparing this submission to provide guidance on this.

The car park area and erosion continue to be monitored on a regular basis and, as required, debris will to be removed as it is stockpiled or naturally exposed.

Thank you to those who attended our latest community update on works funded by the government’s Stormwater Resilience Fund.  The main points were:  

• The main pump station upgrade is the main priority.  Once the costs are finalised we can confirm which other priority projects will also proceed.  
• The consent for the Ooraeroa Marae works will be submitted this week shortly followed by the main pump station upgrade. 
• Negotiations with Sunset Farms are progressing well.   
• Further modelling work identified that drain widening delivered minimal benefits, therefore this work will not proceed. 
• Time is a critical factor for the funding, with all works needing to be completed by end of June 2025. 

Maintenance issues unfortunately are not covered by this particular fund, but a number of questions were raised at the meeting about ongoing maintenance work to the Port Waikato stormwater network. We’re working on the best way to provide regular updates on the maintenance schedule and give greater clarity, so look out for that in our next update.  

On Saturday, a group of Council representatives met with residents of Ocean View Road affected by ongoing erosion at Sunset Beach.

Coastal scientist, Jim Dahm, shared detailed analysis of the projected shoreline patterns that may affect their individual properties over the next few years.

Discussions covered concerns such as rates assessments and potential rates relief, as well as streamlining the consenting process for moving or removing buildings. The importance of ongoing monitoring to better understand the timetable for future risk was also highlighted.

Council is working through rating relief options for each property owner and will provide some additional information on erosion monitoring.

View a brief overview presentation from that meeting:

Thank you to all those who joined us at our erosion meeting on Sunday 25 August 2024, at the Community Hub.  With an issue that affects our whole community, it was good to see so many people there.

The main part afternoon was a presentation from nationally recognised specialist in coastal science, Jim Dahm, who has been brought in to work in partnership with Waikato District Council and Waikato Regional Council to support with our community engagement and longer-term planning.

See a copy of the presentation below:

Proposed temporary structure

Malcolm Beattie spoke on behalf of the Port Waikato Resilience Group (Port Waikato Resident Rate Payers Sub-Group) that has proposed a temporary structure on Sunset Beach. Both Waikato Regional and Waikato District councils, along with Jim Dahm, have been evaluating this proposal.

Putting forward a nature-based solution, the group hopes to build a structure that will slow the erosion, if only temporarily, whilst longer-term plans can be developed alongside the community.

The design and potential impacts of the structure mean that a consent is required from Waikato District Council but staff and Councillors are committed to working positively and collaboratively to assist the group throughout this process.

Other updates

Teams were available at the meeting to field specific questions, and we very much appreciate the feedback, questions and suggestions that many of you shared.