Channel 9 News Item - December 11, 2007 - 7:44pm
The beaches along the Ocean Beach stretch of coastline have shrunk over recent years, with storms causing major erosion, but the council hope to save the beaches for the future.
They've begun a process to find a long-term solution to the erosion from St Clair salt-water pool to Lawyers head.... starting with picking the brains of locals.
It will be mid 2011 .. a minimum of four years, before the Dunedin City Council is ready to apply for resource consents for the implementation of a chosen erosion protection method for 'fixing our beaches'.
Mick Reece's slogan 'No quick fix for beaches' (odt 20 July 07) has been made again last month in an article in the ODT (article below). The DCC Community Development Committee's second report since the July storm events and subsequent beach emergency was made at a council meeting on the 13th of November. Here is a link to the actual report online click here . This report was unanimously approved by the 12 city councillors in the presence of our re-elected Mayor, Peter Chin.
Why does it take an emergency situation for the city council to suddenly pull a (slow) finger to remedy years of well documented inaction?
Doesn't this long and drawn out process of deciding on a solution put our beach and the land assets behind it in a delicate and continual risk? - These assets I am talking about are the whole of St Kilda and South Dunedin, not just the sports grounds. Have we not just had a 'Beach Emergency' which is still in operation? With the real-time action of global warming/sea level rise and it's most threatening aspect increased storm events, is it too much of a risk to allow our already severely damaged coastal protection dunes and beach to be laid bare and vulnerable for four full years or more?
Now I do support that the council now wants to "do it once, do it right" to come up with a long-term sustainable solution to repair damage from continued erosion issues along Ocean Beach. Especially in light of the past events over the design of the new sea wall, it's continued failings, the controversy of its design, and the heightened erosion issues which have ensued since it's construction. Even though the then consultants OCTA assured that the adverse effects would be minimal in the resource consent applications.
[pic above: top frame, recovering from storm damage in 2002, and bottom frame, after some sand replenishment recovery work in August 07 with severely eroded dunes]
The Councils decision for this lengthy process is apparently due to the lack of hydrological data (wave action and sediment transport studies) on the Ocean Beach area. City Council has been advised by several independent experts to undertake these studies on many occasions over the last 100 years, and more essentially again prior to the design and construction of the new sea wall in 2002. It appears evident now, due to ongoing issues with the sea wall and sand retention, that the wall was not designed with the necessary hydrological data for it’s successful function:- erosion protection and preservation of the amenity value at St Clair beach.
* There are actually a number of studies specifically relating to the required data which were not used in 2002. In August 1999 a council meeting approved "$60,000, being the first of two allocations (totaling $120,000) for a hydrological study, be committed to the Esplanade Wall report as an authorised over-expenditure.” ~ what happened to these?
*I believe the data collection is a good move by the council, but my concern is the length of time with extended periods of public consultation and report commissioning. Especially since there is still an ‘emergency status’ under the Resource management act still in place where no notified resource consents are required for ongoing work.
BELOW: The time-line which is not on the online report, showing the 'Strategy Programme - Long Term Planning Process' as presented to the DCC by the Community Development Committee and accepted by the Mayor and City Councillors on the 13th November 2007.
More on the report: Outlined in the report was the approval of the current ‘Holding Pattern’ of sand replenishment and reno mattress construction where necessary for a period of four years whilst the council undertakes a comprehensive public consultation process and data collecting exercise before any kind of long term erosion protection is implemented. A first year data collection budget of approx $300,000 will be approved in January at the councils 2008 funding meeting.
So in summary: it will be at least another four years, the end of 2011, until the council will begin to implement a long term plan involving obtaining the necessary resource consents for the chosen erosion protection method/s based upon results from the data collection period. This 2011 resource consent process and probable periods of appeals and hearings may take many more years.
concerns:
1. That the already severely eroded dune system is unable to naturally respond to future storm events, and will remain vulnerable to storm events for a period of at least four years, placing the entire area of St Kilda and South Dunedin in danger of inundation. These storm events are likely to increase and hit with more severity in light of sea level rise and changes in the global environment - report by International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), such as we have witnessed this winter.
2. That the DCCouncil may find its self in a desperate state a few years down the track and be forced to construct hard structures such as breakwaters and or a sea wall along a major length of Ocean Beach.
3. That the Council MUST explore proven alternative solutions of erosion protection, such as 'Soft Shore' methods as recommended by the IPCC, who do not advocate the use of hard engineering structures. I fully support Holmberg Technologies and their soft shore protection system, which I have submitted to the council, only to be told they weren't interested at this point.
The engineering path of creating a healthy functioning sand dune system (preserving the natural characteristics of) and a wide healthy beach profile is paramount in preserving amenity value for both sports people and beach users. This will in turn will enhance the banks and provide for a better surfing experience.
The council is more concerned with retaining the sports grounds behind the dunes than preserving the natural characteristics of the dune system and beach. Hard engineering structures, like breakwaters, sea walls and groins will definitely protect the sports grounds, but will be a phenomenal cost for construction as well as an ongoing burden to ratepayers for ongoing maintenance. These hard structures will kill the beach (as can be seen in front of the new sea wall) and most likely adversely affect the surfing breaks.
Where to from here?
What can you do?
Step 1 - The first round of DCC public consultation Dec 07 – Feb 08: The public will be encouraged to comment on the proposed scope and content of the information needed to draft the long-term plan. ie: Feedback on proposed data collection & how we would like the beach to look (natural or engineered) and desired amenity value.
I will update the blog when these public submission forms come out in the next few weeks.
If you would like a comprehensive written and pictorial history of the Beach emergency since May 2007 on this blog, please click here Dune Erosion
Below is a one minute video of photographs of the severe progression of erosion at Ocean Beach from a series of South East Storms July to September 2007
Above: earlier in the week, a continued lower beach profile allows waves to attack the base of the covered sand sausages. Rocks have now been re-placed at the base in an attempt to defeat further erosion. Diggers and trucks have once again fully replenished the sand stockpile after it was depleated from covering the sausages the week prior.
Yesterday I sent through a proposal I have been jointly working on to the Dunedin City Council on behalf of Holmberg Technologies Inc.
RE: Submission – Proposal – Sustainable Management Option - Ocean Beach
Dear Mick
In response to the Dunedin City Council (DCC) public request for submissions on solutions for the sustainable management of Ocean Beach I hereby submit a Proposal and supporting information to DCC on behalf of, and in support of, Holmberg Technologies Inc.
Please find enclosed:
1. A proposal from Holmberg technologies Inc. for a Scoping, Option Design and Costing project.
2. Client testimony - John Ricciardi
3. Client testimony - Dr Thomas Straw
4. A DVD with
- Holmberg Video 'Saving Beaches' (7 minutes)
- Holmberg Technologies Inc. Scientific and Technical Reviews of Projects Study Booklet
- Article - 'alternatives to traditional ways of treating shoreline erosion'
- File Folder - animated gifs of artist impressions of Ocean beach before and after appropriate intervention by Holmberg Technologies Inc.
(Please note post intervention results have been verified as practicable by Dick Holmberg of Holmberg Technologies Inc. – with provisos)
4. An artist impression of ‘Middle Beach Beach Profiles’ demonstrating the potential effects and benefits of the Holmberg technologies Undercurrent Stabilizers™
5. Two digital artist impressions of 'before and after' implementation of a “whole of beach” option intervention by Holmberg Technologies Inc. across Ocean Beach.
Following are the contact details for the Cairns City Council Infrastructure
Engineer who requested a proposal from Holmberg Technologies Inc. and
indicated an interest in discussing a jointly funded AUS/NZ working visit
by Dick Holmberg late 2007 early 2008 with NZ Councils.
(contact details removed for blog)
I hereby make this submission in “good faith” and without any liability whatsoever as a concerned and responsible citizen in the interests of the community and the environment and declare that I have no commercial interest in Holmberg Technologies Inc.
I trust this submission assists Council manage the risks associated with this issue efficiently and effectively.
I advise that this submission will be posted on my internet Blog at www.phoam.blogspot.com
Should you have any questions and or require further information in relation to this submission, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to your response.
Nicola Reeves
_______________________________
SUBMISSION BELOW
_______________________________
Attention: Nicola Reeves
Dear Nicola,
I write on behalf of Holmberg Technologies Inc. to outline a Proposal for the development of sustainable, long-term, soft -shore protection options for Ocean / Middle Beach, Dunedin, for your consideration and pursuit with Dunedin City Council.
This Proposal follows confirmation from Dick Holmberg to you on 17 October 2007 that your artistic impression of Ocean and Middle beaches was practicably achievable through the appropriate intervention of Holmberg Technologies Inc.
This Proposal is also a response to the submission Tracey Crampton-Smith and yourself presented to the Dunedin City Council Community Development Committee on September 4th 2007 re coastal erosion management at Ocean / Middle Beach which for reference concluded:
"Coastal erosion methods such as 'soft shore protection' that have a proven track record of success in managing similar sites which can stand to open transparent assessment must be given urgent and appropriate consideration."
I confirm my previous information to you that I have recently responded to a Request For Proposal (RFP) from the Infrastructure Engineer of Cairns City Council, Queensland, Australia (AUS), for the intervention of Holmberg Technologies Inc. in that region, and, that this Engineer has indicated an interest in discussing with interested New Zealand (NZ) Councils, the sharing of costs for Dick Holmberg (and a contract Engineer where appropriate) to travel to NZ (as part of a joint AUS/NZ visit).
Our Proposal:
Soft-Shore Protection, Scoping, Option Design and Costing Project.
Outcome - The main outcome of this project would be coastal management design (and costed ) options for sustainable, long-term, soft-shore protection for Ocean / Middle Beach involving the intervention of Holmberg Technologies Inc.
Key Project Objectives - This project would have the following key objectives:
a/ Engage with Council and other key stakeholders to discuss and assess stakeholder needs, expectations and constraints etc.
b/ Conduct site assessments.
c/ Review and assess quantitative and qualitative, information (historical, anecdotal, technical and scientific) - (See Note 1 below)
d/ Develop soft-shore protection option performance criteria.
e/ Develop soft-shore protection design options including engineering concept designs. (See Notes 2, 3 and 4 below)
f/ Assess local construction logistics and constraints.
g/ Develop cost estimates for design options.
h/ Present options to Council. (See Notes 4 and 5 below).
Availability :
Holmberg Technologies Inc. would be available to commence this project as a NZ only or joint AUS / NZ project mid November to early December 2007 or mid January 2008.
Investment:
The estimated investment by Council for this project is (NZD): Consulting Fee: $100,000.00
Airfares (Return): US Consulting Team (Dick Holmberg + Engineer ) + NZ Consultant. = $32,000.00
+ Accommodation, Meals and local travel = 10 days = $8,000.00
Total estimated investment for Council = $140,000.00 + (excluding GST/tax).
Total estimated investment for Council with US Consulting Team travel cost shared with AUS Council = $126,000.00 (excluding GST/tax).
Notes:
1/ Council would need to provide all scientific, technical and historical information re the site (and immediate surrounding areas) and relevant erosion issues and organise other relevant matters (including meetings with people who may have historical information, Local and Regional Council Officers etc.) to facilitate this assessment.
2/ Engineering concept designs would be limited in detail by intellectual property constraints and will require further input (at additional costs) from Holmberg Technologies Inc. and their engineering advisors (without travel to NZ) at a later date for Resource Consent Application/Permit and construction purposes. Holmberg Technologies Inc. reserves the right to not include information the company considers is commercially sensitive and or secret.
3/ Holmberg Technologies Inc. reserves the right to limit the number of options
4/ The format of presentation would need to be discussed and agreed on with Council prior to commencement of the project.
I trust this Proposal assists in meeting the needs of stakeholders by providing a postive and pro-active way forward.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions and or wish to discuss any aspect of this proposal.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards,
Chris Johnson, BBS.
Australasian Representative
For Holmberg Technologies Inc.
+0064-9- 5358066
the trucks and sand movers and pushers have been hard at work the last few days replenishing the sand stockpile at Middles. Another $20,000 plus??
Channel 9 News Segment June 27, 2007 - 10:51am-
"Dunedin's coastline is paying the price for our recent wild winter weather.
Several of the city's main beaches are rapidly eroding, forcing Dunedin City Council to close the walking track connecting St clair to Middle and St Kilda beaches.
For the past few days, Council staff have been keeping a close eye on developments along the beach, and are suprised by just how fast the land is disappearing."
Below: The two houses are gone, every scrap of their existance has been removed, the topsoil/sand has been stripped/levelled in preparation for the building work to begin on the Hotel development
Above left: another view of the prepared ground, Above right: From Forbury Road.. the new beauty salon's construction is well underway.. below, caitlin takes a photo on the wee pentax while driving past of the beauty salon. with her image caught in the wing mirror.
Was taking photos for a painting project, and these were part of them, thought I'd share on the blog.. Gorgeous views of the Esplanade with the Sea Wall leading on to the Dunes. You can see Forbury Park raceway in the distance of the first photo.
The Two sportsgrounds on either side of Moana Rua Rd in the second one, and the third is pretty much the same.. but nice to see a high tide dry-sand line has returned to the beach
The sand scarps are still clearly visible, and from this view the closeness of the sports grounds is startling
Above and below.. the 'Emergency Outfall' for the Green Island sewerage treatment plant.
Looks like the sand has been recently removed from in front of the outfall area which discharges straight on to the beach.
The Green Island Sewerage treatment plant was up-graded to secondary treatment with UV disinfection and the marine outfall was extended out in the year 2000 to 850m offshore at Waldronville. This emergency outfall pipe still appears to operate.
As this is a restricted coastal activity a resource consent permit is required to discharge up to 103680 m3/day of treated effluent to the Pacific Ocean. This is via the newer 850m Waldronville sewerage outfall pipe.
Below the Dunedin Gun Club and the Dunedin Pistol Club operate on the reserve area at Waldronville, Here a Permit for sand mining is in operation, the scar is easily visible at the back of the firing range.
Also ( left below) there is another site for sand mining a short walk to the right of the range behind the pistol firing range. (right below) the above pit from another angle.
Below, nice to see a planting programme taking place in the dunes beyond the gun club.
Below:
ready to truck out.. the house on the corner.. stripped of its bricks, and parted from its foundations.
Foundations are now going up for the new beauty therapy business. On the section previously was the longest running commercial building in the area. It began its life as a store in 1884, and during its reign it switched hands many times alternating between a grocers and a telegraphist/telephone office until in 1961 when it became a hair salon 'Salon Susan' and then in 1965 'Kaylyn' Hairdressing Salon, then switching to the final tenant 'Wendy's Hair' this year.
Above right:: windows are coming out from the yellow house.
Above:: A photograph taken around the late 1880's, the two circled areas A/ where the new hotel development (see here) is going up now. B/ the building that was recently demolished (see here) to make way for the current construction above.
Below:: a comparison over time highlighting the encroachment of Seconds Beach Road towards the sea when the new sea wall was built.
Below: The sand scarps looking from St Kilda towards St Clair, you can see the two large sand stockpiles hugging the cliffs.
many children even under the supervision of their parents were scaling the cliffs and knocking more sand down, I even spoke [nicely] to a few and they just ignored my plea for respect and the danger their children were in and let them carry on ripping up and down the very unstable dune faces, especially some of the capping hard fill at the top which was very precariously angled ready to fall at any time.
I wonder why there is no monitoring of these actions, or notices to stay off the dune/cliff faces its clearly a danger to the public.. and how can the public be so disrespectful to their environment?
Below: closeup of Moana Rua sand stockpile, with the offshore wind blowing the sand out to sea.
