Storm damage to parks adds up

Storm damage to the Mercury Bay area’s beach access ways, sand ladders, boardwalks, dune plantings and public trees is expected to cost approximately $90,000 to repair.

 

Thames-Coromandel District Council is still assessing the cost of repair to damaged park property across the peninsula as a result of the two storms that hit the country in late July.

 

However it appears the worst damage to beach structures appears to have occurred in Whangapoua, Matarangi and Kuaotunu. TCDC Field Rep Louie Pooley says he estimates the Mercury Bay North beaches have dropped 0.5m to 1.5m in beach surface height as a result of the storm. “Four houses in Kuaotunu were flooded when storm surges washed debris across the reserve, and into the ground floor of homes with debris including trees, logs, picnic tables and litter bins,” he says.

 

An entire year’s budget for renewing park structures in the Mercury Bay area will be spent repairing damage caused by the furious seas and heavy rain.

 

TCDC Parks Manager Derek Thompson says dealing with public trees damaged as a result of the storms also comes at a high cost in the Tairua-Pauanui area where almost a full year’s budget for tree maintenance was expended dealing with the aftermath of the storm.

 

A full report is being prepared for the council but parks damage includes;

 

In Matarangi, beach access ways smashed, sand ladders destroyed, massive erosion of sand from beneath structures now requiring minor earthworks, and dune plantings have been washed away. At Little Sandy Bay approximately half of a 2000 sq m area of reserve has slumped into the sea; at Tucks Bay-Long Bay a pedestrian safety barrier was damaged by limbs falling from trees; also at Long Bay three large culverts require replacing following erosion. The foreshore was eroded and lots of debris was deposited on the mowable areas. At Tapu, erosion had put a toilet block under threat; at Port Charles, the wharf had been damaged by high seas with deck planks popped off despite the deck sitting 5m above the water; at Wyuna Bay and Little Bay two large slips have affected coastal reserves; in Tairua work has already been done between storms to prevent further erosion to the Manaia Stopbanks along the Pepe Reserve; in Pauanui there were several large old pines and an old gum tree ripped from the ground. One narrowly missed council infrastructure and others had to be cleared from park land. The Booms Walkway in Thames has suffered a large slump in the land and exposed infrastructure. In Whangamata a large old Rewarewa tree blew out and minor damage was caused to other public trees around the foreshore.

 

 

 

 

“This highlights the need for us to prioritise our work and try to keep our public places in good condition and safe for public visits,” says Derek Thompson. “We ask that people bear with us while we get through the more urgent tasks before turning our attention to work that is more about aesthetics.”

 

At present the renewal costs for all damage as a result of the storms are still being assessed and there is significant damage to the roading network still to be calculated.

 

The 309 Rd remains closed and is not expected to reopen for at least another week.

 

TCDC Group Manager, Service Delivery John Whittle says it is likely to be late next week before the council is able to consolidate all the reinstatement costs as a result of the storm. “We will then prepare a report for Council with recommendations on priorities and funding sources.”