Coastal plan to go public

Auckland Council’s Whangaparāoa Coastal Management Plan – the first to be rolled out – will go to the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board for endorsement next month.

It will then go to the Environment and Climate Change Committee for final Council approval in March. Council chose Whangaparāoa for its first Coastal Management Plan – eventually it will prepare plans covering the whole of Auckland’s coastline.

Coastal management is a major issue in the face of erosion and flooding that is getting worse with sea level rise and the other effects of climate change. The plan is focused on Council-owned land and assets.

There are 160 assets in Whangaparāoa (such as toilet blocks, steps, boat ramps and seawalls), as well as reserves and coastal roads. Consultation took place earlier this year to find out what the community’s priorities are – what they value about the coast and how they use coastal areas and infrastructure.

The plan will also guide future funding for things such as coastal protection, or removal of structures.