My Account
Block off Boulevard
In response to the article re the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board re-scutinising the so-called Ōrewa Boulevard (HM April 4), why can’t they and Auckland Transport do a proper job and turn this section of road into a true boulevard by blocking off both ends at the roundabouts? Access by the various side roads for deliveries and couriers, disabled vehicle access and so forth, but no parking, and pedestrian priority would make for a much better Ōrewa experience for the majority who would prefer to drink their al fresco coffee without a large dose of exhaust fumes. The through route would then be Centreway Road. Why can’t we join the rest of the world, and enjoy our seafront?
Stephen Newman, Ōrewa (abridged)
Cost-effective solution?
It was interesting to read “Council gets to grips with Ōrewa Reserve (HM April 4). This has been going on for years. Coastal management is a defence against flooding and erosion. In late 1970s the Rodney District Council contracted a marine engineer who specialised in tidal movement. His brief was to mitigate the movement of the sand along the beach. His suggestion was the installation of two groynes on the beach. A groyne is a structure built perpendicular from the shore, interrupting water flow and limiting the movement of sediment.
Groynes are cost-effective and require little maintenance. They are viewed as detrimental to the aesthetics of the coastline and face opposition in many communities. So, when put to the public the proposal was rejected. The problem is ongoing. After that the engineer was sent to the Kaipara Harbour to investigate the disappearance of shells at Shelly Beach. The engineer built five groynes which brought back shells onto the beach.
Graham Andrew, Red Beach (abridged)
Costly seawall
I wonder how many Ōrewa residents and beach users are aware of the Environment Court decision “Auckland Council v Auckland Council” where the Court considered Council’s decision to decline the application by its Community Facilities department, who spent, it is rumored, around $1 million in preparing, consulting, lodging and presenting their application to Council in order to undertake coastal and associated works along about 600m of Ōrewa Beach? Council considered and declined the application, with the Community Facilities Department then filing an Appeal with the Court. Some further $1million later, the Court granted consent. Sadly, all this money would have been better spent tidying up the sea wall and undertaking further coastal works. Did the Local Board at their recent workshop (see HM April 4 front page article entitled ‘Council gets to grips with Ōrewa Reserve’) hold Council’s Resilient Land and Coasts General Manager to account over this fiasco and question why so much money was wasted with nothing tangible to show for it? And as regards the referenced sand transfer in the above article, I am reminded of the legend surrounding King Canute and his failure to stop the waves coming up the beach despite his kingly order. Yet again, more wasted money.
Stephen Havill, Ōrewa
Editor’s note: The Environment Court case was extensively covered in Hibiscus Matters at the time. This paper also, via an Official Information Act request, was able to reveal the costs of those proceedings, as mentioned in this letter.
Great Anzac service
I would like to compliment the organisers of the Ōrewa Anzac Day service. I have attended many over the years and have appreciation for the uncertainties around the constraints due to Covid-19. I felt that the Ōrewa service was very fitting. It included many local organisations including the participation of school children who enhanced the service and gave a real community spirit. Congratulations to all involved!
Peter Burn Gulf Harbour
