Amberley Beach’s potential lifeline against rising seas
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A proposal to build a coastal bund to protect Amberley Beach in Canterbury from rising sea levels has received support from the Hurunui District Council.
Councillors agreed in principle to support a residents’ proposal to debt fund some of the cost of building a new protection bund, at a council meeting on Tuesday.
A bund is a type of embankment which protects against the sea.
The proposal followed the council’s adoption of the Amberley Beach Coastal Adaptation Plan in June last year to protect the 109 properties in the beach settlement from sea level rise and coastal erosion.
‘‘The adaptation plan looks at a bund as the primary option in the short to medium term,’’ chief executive Hamish Dobbie said.
‘‘By agreeing in principle to approving debt funding, it will give the community some certainty as they move forward.’’
He said the residents approached the council with a proposal to increase their targeted rate from $252 to $304 a year.
Initial estimates suggested a new bund would cost between $450,000 and $650,000.
The new bund was expected to have a life of 30 years and would be more durable than the existing gravel bund, which was built in 1993.
‘‘The plan is to build a bund with a wearable base, which can be rebuilt from the back,’’ Dobbie said.
A fund has been established from the existing targeted rate, which would leave a shortfall of between $120,000 to $320,000.
Dobbie said the proposed increase to the targeted rate was expected to pay off the loan over 10 years.
He said the council would seek Government funding to offset the loan.
‘‘There are several national funds we could apply for, but the beach community is not an incorporated society, so the council would need to apply on its behalf.’’
South ward councillors Pauline White and Vanessa McPherson praised the Amberley Beach residents for being ‘‘proactive’’ in coming up with solutions.
‘‘This is a really proactive community which has taken it upon themselves to protect themselves,’’ White said.
‘‘This community has been proactive in seeking out the best engineering design and materials to make this project work.’’
The targeted rate for the Amberley Beach bund was set by the council each year, based on a recommendation from the residents.
The coastal adaptation plan has a clause where residents would need to consider another option, such as ‘‘proactive relocation’’, if the targeted rate for the bund exceeded $750 per household per year.
A report will be presented to the council for approval, once the final cost of the new bund has been established.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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Alternative education supports North Canterbury youth
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Tucked away on a four hectare block between Kaiapoi and Rangiora is a new alternative education programme for students who struggle to fit into the mainstream.
The Noaia Charitable Trust, based at Tuahiwi, took over the North Canterbury alternative education programme from Rangiora High School in term one.
It now takes in up to 16 students aged 13 to 16 years from Kaiapoi and Rangiora High Schools, Oxford, Amuri and Cheviot area schools, Hurunui College and Rangiora New Life School.
Programme manager Jackie Freeman said the small numbers makes it easier to cater to the students’ individual learning needs, including supporting them to earn NCEA credits.
‘‘We do an individual learning plan for each of our young people.
‘‘There is a misconception only naughty kids access alternative education, but there is a range of reasons why young people come here.’’
Most of the students are neurodiverse or kinesthetic learners (learning through physical activity), and often both, she said.
‘‘We are able to identify when the kids are getting frustrated or struggling with their work as soon as it happens, due to having smaller numbers.
‘‘We can see the bubble before it turns into a geyser.’’
Students can attend the Ruataniwha programme anywhere from one term or up to three years.
The programme can support students to transition back to school or into work or further study options.
‘‘We can be what we need to be for each of the individuals.’’
Mrs Freeman said the funding allowed her to employ one full-time and two part-time tutors and she looked for particular skill-sets.
This included a background of working with children through trauma, or working in youth justice or pastoral care roles.
Transport is provided to get the students to school on time, with breakfast provided thanks to the Sanitarium Breakfast Club.
Lunches are also provided, with fresh vegetables from a big, one acre garden.
‘‘One of our tutors is an amazing cook, so the students are so spoilt,’’ Freeman said.
The Noaia Charitable Trust was established five years ago by local Whānau and offers learning which is underpinned by kaupapa Māori philosophy.
It also offers the E Tū Rangatira training programme with up to 16 places for rangitahi Māori aged 16 to 24 years.
Those students can complete a New Zealand Certificate in building or agriculture and are supported into employment or further training.
The 4-hectare property has sheep and cows, with students involved in farm work and in practical work around the property, such as landscaping and building a laneway and stockyards as part of their learning.
Rangiora High School announced last year it was withdrawing from being a provider of alternative education services.
The school has developed its own programme to support year 9 and 10 students, which is funded by the board of trustees.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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