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It is eight months since Auckland Council revealed options for the future of Ōrewa Reserve (HM March 6) and since then, things have gone quiet as work goes on behind the scenes to progress those proposals.
The latest update is that options for management of this section of the beach will be presented to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board again in February, with public consultation planned to take place after that.
Resilient Land and Coasts general manger, Paul Klinac, says the emphasis of those plans is on naturalising the coastal edge to build resilience to coastal processes.
“We are currently working with mana whenua and aim to present a report for the local board in February, which will set out options for future management direction. Public consultation on the options is planned thereafter,” Klinac says. “Once the local board has endorsed a direction, we can prioritise renewal projects on the reserve, and get funding allocated to coastal edge management projects via the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board’s work programme.”
It was clear from the plans presented to the local board in March that a seawall along the reserve is unlikely, because of cost and a preference for working with nature. Discussions around the future of the Norfolk pines on the beach edge and what people most want to protect will be key during public consultation.
Meanwhile, every time there is an easterly storm, residents voice their ongoing concerns that Ōrewa Reserve is being eroded away, while Council “twiddles its thumbs”.
These calls grew louder after a storm – the remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Lola – coincided with king tides at the end of last month.
It caused severe damage to Ōrewa Beach, and repairs got underway there on November 6. They included bringing in rock under emergency response provisions to protect the reserve and pathways at the north end, near Arundel Reserve, removing debris and repairing the boat ramp at Puriri Avenue which is currently closed.
Another round of moving sand from the southern end to the area in front of Ōrewa Recreation Reserve was included in the work. This was to removing the steep scarp by Ōrewa Reserve and create a buffer for future storms.
First three photos taken by Auckland Council
