This is a cut and paste of some details to date on the Orewa Beach Saga
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 8:59 am
Orewa council is building a fenced off area along our beach!
Its an ugly scar and part of the beautification of Orewa project.
I'm meeting them on site this morning. Will have a copy of the plans published here as a lot of people are asking to be informed..
As soon as I asked what was going on they threw in my face their perceived dangers of kiteboarding to the public in a bid to avoid the topic.
Interesting attitude by our council..
How many businers owners in Rodney district Kiteboard or Surf Orewa?
So I'll get some plans to be sure their not messing with our beach use and keep eyeryone informed.
More info coming soon?
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ian c
Very rare blatherer
Joined: 20 Apr 2005
Posts: 15
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:57 am
I think it is best to share what info has been given to them already.
I heard the wooden posts were going to go up to the surf club from the estuary - so as much as I wanted absolutely nothing at all to do with exposing kitesurfing onto the agenda- I did not want to turn up to the beach with wooden posts sticking out of the beach all over the place right where I like to get a launch next session.
Dear Councillor responsible for the below developments,
Fenced Dune Area - South End of Orewa Beach
Where can I find out information as to what is going on at the south end of Orewa beach. I see what looks like one area already fenced off (I presume to enhance regrowth of dune plants by people not walking on them?). Is that it or are there plans for more than this north of this point? These fence posts could pose a serious danger to kitesurfers particularly towards high tide should their safety leash fail/ kiters collide in that area. This is very unlikely however we like to minimise the risks, like any other sport, by kiting at suitable locations without solid posts or rocks etc sticking out of the beach.
I think educating people about dune damage due to plant damage, and not to walk on the plants./dunes when possible is important. I don't know if a sign with this information has been put up (it may have been?) - particularly to educate the many overseas visitors to the campsite that would be none the wiser coming from non dune sensitive beaches ? (Would help educate them for all dunes in nz). How did that end of the beach look 100 years ago - are there any old photos?
This new fenced area has taken away the natural look of that end of the beach that looks so good. As a ratepayer, would I have had any say in the matter if I had know about the plan - where would I have gone to look? I could not find information about it on the council website.
Thanks for your help,
Ian Collenette
Anyway Councillor Paul Klinac called me back and was very helpful with regards to my questions. Someone else (another kitesurfer) had spoken to them and they had decided to only go another 20m with them.
I wish they had not started at all and that there were no posts form the surf club to the estuary.
I did not know it was happening as it was not detailed on the development information sign that I read (ie clear that a wooden posted fence was to be built). The council has informed me that it was detailed on other signs for the past 12 months -have not check this out yet to see if it was clear that a wooden posted fence was to be built in these areas. I was not able to find any information on wooden posted fences on the council website either from links or using their search engine.
Well, I was not able to give public feedback before the work started which is a shame - hope the issue can be resolved and we can carry on having fun on windy days when we see very few non water users on the beach.
I have also asked Paul Klinac if there were any issues regarding kitesurfers and the beach other than these fence posts and he assured me there were none , so we are only dealing with wooden posted fences here.
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Lee_200
Frequent Blatherer
Joined: 07 Apr 2004
Posts: 111
Location: Orewa beach
Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 10:58 am
Yep, plenty of posts all over the place.
Shane Bright has also been helping raise our concerns as beach users with the council.
Shane spoke directly to the digger drive and had their progress stalled for a bit of a re think. Glad to see your input too Ian. There has been a small reshape of their planned progress right to the carpark which is great.
So the more voices the better really.
I have just had a meeting on site and the fences are continuing to where the stakes are marked out on the beach at the moment.
The posts will all be will be roped and meshed.
Its a long term plan to grow the beach out in front of its current position.
It will be planted with grasses to stabilize the sand and help grow dunes.
I have requested a dune to be built in front of the fence post as a temp measure. Should reduce the risks of a direct impact with the posts if whipped up the beach. Its not much but its a start and its at only $1000-2000 extra cost to the $+30k project.
I understand what their trying to do, but I hate the fact it has a direct impact on us as beach users and its so ugly. The high tide set up area is directly affected by this.
In a couple of years the beach will be in better shape because of this work. But its going to be a constricted and fugly beach at mid to high tide for quite some time.
Paul Kinlac and his associate are looking at our concerns and will see what other changes if any they can accomodate or requests whilst still proceeding with their plans.
The project will be completed within the next two weeks.
Cheers, Lee.
(See Ians photo's at
www.kiteforum.co.nz/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1289 )
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