Erosion threatens to wash away Russell's waterfront
The erosion is threatening to undermine the Strand, Russell's waterfront road.
Photo:
Supplied / Sue Fitzmaurice
Ongoing erosion, accelerated by Cyclone Tam's big swells and high winds, is threatening to wash away the waterfront of one of New Zealand's most historic towns.
Russell resident and former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley said options for protecting Russell's vanishing beachfront were already being investigated when last month's wild weather suddenly gave the project urgency.
She said the shore had been receding for about the past 18 months, with erosion starting to undermine the road reserve and a historic cannon.
It was also exposing the roots of the pōhutukawa trees that lined the town's waterfront.
Erosion is exposing tree roots along Russell's waterfront.
Photo:
Supplied / Sue Fitzmaurice
"Then Cyclone Tam came along and coincided with some very high spring tides and an onshore wind. There's been a very big impact in the last three weeks," she said.
As a short-term measure, the Far North District Council had sandbagged and placed rock fill in the worst area, just below the cannon.
Shipley said a working group had already been discussing possible solutions with the council and Far North Holdings.
"We thought we had time… and of course it never goes as fast as I would like it to, but this is not a straightforward question. We do need to get best advice, then try and find money to remediate it."
If nothing was done, the beachfront road and buildings would eventually be threatened.
"With every high tide that's got an onshore wind, it's posing more risk to the road reserve."
Erosion opposite Russell's Town hall, before temporary repairs were carried out.
Photo:
Supplied / Sue Fitzmaurice
Shipley said there were many theories in Russell about what was contributing to the erosion.
Those theories included rainwater from buildings running across the road instead of going into stormwater drains, or changes to tidal action caused by the wharf's floating pontoons.
Expert advice so far was that there was no single significant factor, she said.
The erosion is worst around the historic cannon, opposite Russell Town Hall.
Photo:
Supplied / Jenny Shipley
The working group included representatives of the Russell Wharf Trust, the local community board and placemaking group, Kororāreka Marae, businesses, the council and Far North Holdings, with herself as chair representing the Russell Destination Management Team.
The hoped to come up with a medium-term solution in July or August, which would then be discussed with Russell residents and stakeholder groups.
How quickly it could be implemented would depend on the cost, she said.
The council was also investigating whether central government assistance would be available given that it involved storm damage to a road.
Ultimately, the working group aimed to restore the gentle slope that used to run down onto the shingle beach.
"It is a long term issue. It will be potentially costly, so we have to be mindful that we've got to then find those funds or take our turn," she said.
Emergency repairs aim to protect Russell's waterfront from further erosion until a solution is found.
Photo:
Supplied / Sue Fitzmaurice
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Farmers risk being cut off as bridge funding dries up
The Wharekiri Stream can be impassable in a flood. Photo: Supplied / Shirley Millard Clarence Valley farmers have been left high and dry following a decision not to extend a funding deadline for replacing a quake-damaged bridge north of Kaikōura. Waka Kotahi - the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) - has informed the Kaikōura District Council it will not extend the 30 June sunset clause or offering additional funding for a replacement for the Glen Alton Bridge on Waiau Toa Clarence River, which was destroyed in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016. Property owners now face an uncertain future, without year-round, all weather access to the valley. Steve and Shirley Millard have been farming in the valley for 13 years, with Mrs Millard commuting to work in Kaikōura. ''It should have been done way before now,'' Steve said. ''They said they are looking at other options, but I can't see many.'' The Clarence Valley is home to several properties, including forestry blocks, large hill country properties and Department of Conservation land. For now access in and out is via Waipapa Road, Wharekiri Stream and a paper road through several properties. But the Wharekiri Stream is prone to flooding in heavy rain events and can be impassable for up to two weeks. Access is by four-wheel-drive only. Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said NZTA's decision is a major setback and left the council with few options. ''The project has had a number of complex issues and stakeholder challenges that, despite best efforts, council has not been able to fully overcome.'' The remains of the Glen Alton bridge in the Clarence Valley, north of Kaikōura. Photo: Supplied / Kaikōura District Council The NZTA board approved emergency works funding of $12.6 million from the National Land Transport Programme in 2019 to replace bridge - a 95 percent subsidy, but the project has been beset by challenges. The council initially applied to Environment Canterbury (ECan) for a resource consent to build a $13.5m bridge, 500 metres upstream from the previous bridge. But this was opposed by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura on cultural grounds. Last year, the council asked its contractor, Contract Structures Ltd, to provide a cost estimate for building a bridge at the original site. Going to the original site will require the council to acquire land for an access road to the new bridge, a process expected to take up to 18 month. The council will leave the local share funding of around $500,000 in the 2025/26 annual plan budget while the next steps are considered, Doughty said. NZTA regional manager central and lower South Island Peter Brown said the agency advised the council in December its application for an extension would likely be declined unless it could provide evidence by 28 February the challenges it faced could be overcome. ''Despite some progress being made on key issues, there remained significant ongoing risks and a lack of a clear path forward.'' The NZTA board met last month and declined an extension and a funding increase to $16.5m. ''We understand there will be disappointment over this decision for Clarence Valley residents,'' Brown said. ''The prolonged delays and unresolved issues make continued investment in this project untenable.'' Brown said NZTA will continue to work with the council to explore what options are available. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Weather: Fears for extreme cold snap don't eventuate despite chilly temperatures
Photo: Screenshot / MetService Fears for an extreme cold snap have not eventuated, despite chilly temperatures around the motu. The country went into the latter part of the week with almost two dozen weather warnings in place, but rain eased on Friday in Tāupo and the Bay of Plenty, and the South avoided heavy snowfall. MetService meterologist Sylvia Martino told RNZ Dunedin Airport and Takapō took out the chilliest spots, at minus five overnight, while Christchurch dropped to minus one. Takapō on Thursday after an overnight snowfall. Photo: Supplied / Tanja Clauberg Snow has closed parts of State Highway 85 in Otago, State Highway 80 between Lake Pukaki and Aoraki/Mount Cook and State Highway 8 between Fairlie and Twizel. MetService had issued an orange-level heavy snow warning for inland Canterbury, from the Rakaia River southwards, overnight. A heavy snow watch remained for inland areas of Canterbury and Marlborough between the Rakaia River and Ward until later on Saturday morning. A warning was also in place for State Highway 1 on the central North Island's Desert Road, with one to three centimetres of snow to accumulate above 800 metres. Meanwhile, the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office is warning people to take extra care along the region's coastline with heavy swells forecast over the weekend. A warning is in place in Wellington, from Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head, and in the Wairarapa, from Turakirae Head to Mataikona, through to early Sunday morning. Cook Strait ferries have been cancelled this weekend due to forecast 6m swells. Interislander has canned all passenger sailings for Saturday due to the conditions. "All passengers are being moved to alternative sailings," it said on its website. Cook Strait ferries are being cancelled this weekend due to forecast swells. Photo: Supplied Bluebridge had also cancelled all Saturday sailings, and one in the early hours of Sunday morning. "We are monitoring the situation closely, and if further sailings are impacted, we will notify you via text and email at the earliest opportunity," the operator told customers. The MetService said waves could reach swells of 6m on Saturday, with a warning lasting to Sunday morning. The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office's regional manager, Dan Neely, said it could bring flooding and debris onto roads. He added that drivers and walkers on coastal roads, as well as surfers, divers and fishers, should take extra care. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Cook Strait ferries cancelled as six-metre swells forecast
Cook Strait ferries are being cancelled this weekend due to forecast swells. Photo: Supplied Cook Strait ferries are being cancelled this weekend due to forecast six-metre swells. Interislander has canned all passenger sailings for Saturday due to the conditions. "All passengers are being moved to alternative sailings," it said on its website. Bluebridge has also cancelled all Saturday sailings, and one in the early hours of Sunday morning. "We are monitoring the situation closely, and if further sailings are impacted, we will notify you via text and email at the earliest opportunity," the operator told customers. The MetService says waves could reach swells of six metres on Saturday, with a warning lasting to Sunday morning. A fresh surge of winter weather was expected to descend on the South Island on Friday , bringing snow, sub-zero temperatures and the risk of travel disruption. More to come. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
