With high risk of further strong tidal activity over coming weeks, we’re using this web page and our Port Waikato email to send out regular updates and guidance for Port Waikato residents.
Upcoming strong tides
Metservice and Waikato Regional Council are giving us detailed analysis of upcoming weather concerns and we have been advised of these likely high-risk periods:
- 24 and 25 July – severe weather
- 21 and 22 August – severe weather with king tides expected
- 19 to 22 September – king tides expected
Beach access
Access to Sunset beach from council reserves is open but will be closed if there is risk from debris. If any further beachfront property are undermined or at risk, the beach access points will be closed for public safety.
Car park at Sunset Beach Surf Club
The latest erosion event removed the front edge of the car park, which remains cordoned off and monitored. During weather events over the coming weeks, it is likely we will have to close the car park at high-risk times for public safety.
Beach ramp
There may be high risk of this washing away with a concentrated period of weather events. We advise people to always take extra care when using the ramp.
Public toilet
The public toilet building is currently a safe distance from erosion risk, but the holding tank will be cleaned out in advance of expected bad weather, as a precaution.
Private properties on Ocean View Road
The immediate area of concern is at the Surf Club end of the beach, where seasonal tides are raising the risk of rapid erosion. Our staff are working with affected homeowners to develop plans to safely move or remove any property or structures that may become unstable. When structures pose public safety or environmental hazards, they may require mandatory removal.
Port Project beach structure
Loose logs have been removed and we are waiting on technical feedback about the wooden structure built by The Port Project. Our joint priority remains safety to the community when using the beach. Staff met with Port Project coordinators at the Ministry of Social Development to make sure we collaborate effectively around plans for future work from this initiative.
Community-led support
We have been working with members of the community to develop a Community Response Plan to have both a local volunteer group and the resources in place that we can call on in an emergency for community-led support.
The science behind the latest erosion
We know that the conditions around this part of the coast are constantly changing and the experts’ analysis points to there being a change to levels in the sand bar under water. This results in increased wave energy being able to reach shore where the current erosion is taking place. This means that normal waves are having an impact on erosion, leading to increased concern about the upcoming high and king tides.
Why not a sea wall?
Over many years, there have been calls for a sea wall to act as a barrier to protect Sunset Beach. We received guidance in 2019 that the likely cost for this was a minimum of $50m, which puts it financially out of reach for our ratepayers. It was also established that there was a significant risk of it not working.
A 2021 eCoast report also said that the placement of a hard structure at Sunset Beach (e.g groynes, rock revetment, sea wall, breakwater etc) is not recommended for the following reasons:
- Potential long-term loss of sandy beach.
- It would have high visual impact and large footprint.
- A hard structure would push the erosion further along the beach to where it would not be protected and possibly increase erosion at this point.
- Decreased beach accessibility.
- Potential health and safety concerns for beach users.
- Structure influencing nearshore coastal dynamics.
Temporary measures
A resource consent has been issued that allows residents to push sand from the beach up to the edge of their properties. This is, of course, a short-term measure but one that can be effective during one-off events or to limit damage.
Frequency and volume limits are in place, with further details to come.
Staying up-to-date
Ongoing updates will be sent through this email newsletter and on our website, so please encourage others to subscribe. Updates are also shared on the locally-run Facebook group and with Port Report. Not everyone is connected, of course, so please help keep neighbours up-to-date where you can.