Officials discuss ways to protect flood-prone beach settlement
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.
Poll: Have you ever been bullied?
People associate bullying with children in schools, but it can actually stretch beyond childhood to workplaces or neighbourhoods.
This Friday is Pink Shirt Day, which began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. People across the globe are now encouraged to wear pink on this day to take a stand against bullying and promote inclusivity.
Have you or your whānau ever experienced bullying? Share your thoughts on Pink Shirt Day below.
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Five Autumn gardening ideas
Hello there!
I love Autumn... The cooler temperatures and changing colours make for a lovely peaceful environment.
If you're looking for inspiration for things to do in the garden at this beautiful time of year, I've put together a list 5 things you could consider. So grab your gloves and let's get started!
1. Harvest fruits and vegetables: Autumn is the time to harvest your crops, such as apples, pears, plums etc. Make sure to pick them before the first frost and store them in a cool, dry place.
2. Plant bulbs for spring: Autumn is the perfect time to plant bulbs like daffodils and tulips, which will produce beautiful blooms in the spring.
3.Clean out garden beds: Before winter sets in, clear out any spent annuals, weeds, and other debris from garden beds. You can also consider adding compost or other organic matter to enrich the soil for next season.
4. Plant autumn flowers: While the weather is cooler, it's a great time to plant autumn flowers such as pansies, chrysanthemums, and asters. These will add some colour to your garden and thrive in the cooler temperatures.
5. Rake up fallen leaves: As the trees begin to shed their leaves, it's important to keep them off the lawn and other areas where they can smother plants or become a slipping hazard.
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