It was my understanding that a compromise was made between me as local kitesurfer and the Rodney council a month ago (represented by Paul Klinac) was going to leave a safe sizable launching area posts downwind of us WITHOUT WOODEN POSTS.

(Previously the posts were going all the way past the surf club!)

I was very happy that a good compromise was reached at that point; however, the area that has been left without posts I think is too small. In fact it was verbally explained to me that it would be at least 3 times the size of what has now been left




The (very UGLY looking) posts are to stop people walking on the BEAUTIFUL dunes that they hope to regrow/create.Paul says stable dunes should take 2 years to create afer which the posts will be romoved.


What now?
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Well no posts would be best - but the council wants them so that the rocks on the beach can eventually be removed because people are tripping up injuring themselves on them (they were put there years ago as a failed sea defence idea) and they are not allowed to remove them unless they have in place another form of sea defence. They HOPE the plant covered dunes would protect the top of the beach during a large storm (I doubt it)

I personally believe nature has its way when it comes to beach errosion and although the theory behind projects like these are great, they are probably going to just be a big waste of money. Seen it many times before at many other beaches - every year more money wasted as another big storm comes around.


Aother compromise idea
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1..Pull out the 2 sections of posts just put in (I thought I had already suceeded with this - clearly not...)

2..In 2 years time put posts all the way past the surf club to grow dunes here, and we can go and kite down at the other end as the posts will then be gone (they are a short term measure as explained to me by Paul)



So - I give you the information - you choose if you want your voice heard because in the words of Paul Klinac kitesurfers are a minority and could always go to another beach. Only 2 kiters have contacted the council.
I know there are non kitesurfing public complaining about them also.

People to contact: John Law (Mayor) and Paul Klinac at Rodney District council.

Try to stick to email - then you can carbon copy the emails to both above and have a record of what has been said.

The Mayor (John Law) is of the understanding that kitesurfers concerns have been resolved (I have this in writing). Quite clearly this is not the case.

Almost impossible to read this thread given the width of the pics.
The council has not provided any plans of the project to me but we did have a walk around on site.
There was no option available to stop the fence posts going in. I asked what we could do to stop it but they said it was all approved and going ahead. We did get them to pull it short a bit from where Ians photo shows it heading. But you only have to stand on the beach at high tide to know its un acceptable.
FYI as soon as (we) Ian Shane and i made our approaches to the council we were basically identified as a problem user on the beach.
"Dangerous and Agressive behaviour" was cited in serveral instances by the council.

Further to this the Harbor master has got in on the topic and is making noises to restrict our use of the beach based on those guys kiting in the shallows and between swimmers.

So not a good week at Orewa!

Can we cut and paste this topic into a new thread and include the earlier material as this thread is to wide to read given the pics.?