Hanmer Forest, Hanmer Springs

4 days 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 … View more
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.

2 hours ago

Caring For You Like Family

The Team from Ryman Healthcare

91-year-old Dora is a rest home resident at Ryman.

Between family gatherings, bus trips and village activities, she certainly enjoys a full life. With the many friendships she’s made, the caregivers and village staff have become an extension of her family.

Hear about Dora’s experienceView more
91-year-old Dora is a rest home resident at Ryman.

Between family gatherings, bus trips and village activities, she certainly enjoys a full life. With the many friendships she’s made, the caregivers and village staff have become an extension of her family.

Hear about Dora’s experience living in a Ryman community.
Find out more

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3 days ago

Wellington Better Home and Living Show opens next Friday!

Jade Promotions

Enjoy fresh, practical solutions for the home, garden and better living at the Wellington Better Home & Living Show opening next Friday! There’ll be kitchens, builders, double glazing, spas, heating, flooring, homewares, landscaping, delicious food and more. All you need under one roof the … View moreEnjoy fresh, practical solutions for the home, garden and better living at the Wellington Better Home & Living Show opening next Friday! There’ll be kitchens, builders, double glazing, spas, heating, flooring, homewares, landscaping, delicious food and more. All you need under one roof the 10th to 12th of May at Sky Stadium.

Join the fun with the Neighbourly 2 for 1 Adult Ticket Offer.

There are so many fabulous reasons to visit the show with a huge range of exhibitors to improve your homes, lifestyles and outdoors. Join Resident Builder Peter Wolfkamp on Saturday at the show for his free Ask an Expert session, enjoy a delicious range of artisan foods, get creative with the kids at Resene Paint a Pot on Saturday and Sunday and lots more!

Save the date in your diaries: 10 - 12 May at the Wellington Better Home and Living Show

Fri & Sat 10 – 5, Sun 10 – 4
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Adults $5
Gold Card Friday $2.50
Under 16 free
Find out more

1 day ago

New Lottery, New Home

Heart Foundation Lotteries

For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in stunning Papamoa, worth just over $1 million.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.

Make… View more
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in stunning Papamoa, worth just over $1 million.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.

Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental, or you can simply sell it! Get your tickets today.
Find out more

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4 days ago

What's On: RANGIORA MUSEUM MEETING

Norma from Rangiora

May 23rd, David Petrie, local photographer, will present "Who was John Verrall?" A self-employed photographer in North Canterbury? All welcome, 7.30pm, 29 Good Street. Free, but donations welcome. Supper served.
RANGIORA MUSEUM MEETING
  • Rangiora Museum
2 days 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? … View more
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

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5 days ago

Amberley Beach’s potential lifeline against rising seas

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

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… View more
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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