15 days ago

Commemorate Anzac Day on 25 April

Auckland Council

Remember our servicemen and servicewomen past and present by attending an Anzac Day service on Thursday 25 April.

Visit for a full list of services across the region.
Find out more

Image
More messages from your neighbours
4 hours ago

The perfect treat this Mother's Day

Sunday Star Times

This Mother's Day treat yourself or a loved one with the ultimate Sunday self-care gift.

Purchase a discounted subscription to Sunday Star-Times before 12 May, and receive a FREE Antipodes Maya Hyaluronic 72-Hour Hydration Serum worth $56*. Find out more below.

Gifting a subscription? Add a personalised e-card to your order to make your gift even more special. Offer ends next week so don’t miss out! T&Cs apply, promo code must be applied.
Find out more

Image
1 day ago

Officials discuss ways to protect flood-prone beach settlement

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

‘‘Pragmatic’’ solutions have been suggested for a flood prone North Canterbury beach settlement.

Gore Bay, near Cheviot, is a popular coastal holiday spot, but faces threats from flooding and sea level rise.

The Hurunui District Council is creating a coastal adaptation plan for Gore Bay and is working with Environment Canterbury to plan for flood protection for the Jed River and Buxton Creek.

Deputy mayor Vince Daly said the creek and river were prone to flooding in heavy rain events, leaving the Buxton Campground and the coastal road vulnerable to flooding.

‘‘The creek builds up when it is in flood, and the shingle builds up, preventing it from flowing out to sea.’’

Daly said Environment Canterbury presented some ‘‘pragmatic’’ solutions at a recent meeting with Gore Bay / Port Robinson Reserve Advisory Group.

A Hurunui District Council report presented to the Cheviot Community Committee in February said the flood hazard was increasing due to the formation of a lagoon between the river and the creek mouths.

The intensity of recent rain events was increasing the erosion threat to the campground’s banks and to land around the bridge abutments.

Environment Canterbury regional lead river operations, Cliff Thomas, said options presented to the community had exceeded the budget set for the project.

An engineering consultant is now assessing the options and will provide a design for Environment Canterbury staff to consider.

‘‘A channel could be cut to allow the river to let water flows out to the ocean when certain conditions are met, such as flood risk due to high rainfall,’’ Thomas said.

‘‘However, a consent would be required to do this.’’

Longer term sea level rise posed a threat to the access road and to the Buxton and Gore Bay Camping Grounds, Daly said.

‘‘The elevation of the houses means slips are probably a bigger issue for residents than sea level rise, but it does pose a risk to the road.

‘‘This is one of the best Canterbury beaches and it is a very popular spot.’’

The Hurunui District Council began its ‘‘Coastal Conversations’’ project alongside five beach communities in 2020.

Three coastal adaptation plans have been completed for Amberley Beach, Leithfield Beach and Motunau, while the council is also working with the Gore Bay and Conway Flat/Claverley beach communities.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.