Horizons to discuss management of Waikawa Stream mouth with community

Horizons Regional Council will be meeting with Waikawa Beach residents on Saturday to discuss the findings of a report that looks at management options for the mouth of the Waikawa Stream.

Horizons river management group manager Ramon Strong says coastal scientists Tonkin and Taylor were commissioned by Horizons and Horowhenua District Council to undertake the work.
 
“Erosion at Waikawa Beach has been an ongoing issue for a number of years with the ex-tropical cyclones in 2018 exacerbating the problem,” says Mr Strong.
 
“Tonkin and Taylor have undertaken a comprehensive assessment of historical information, captured the knowledge and views of local residents, and identified the complex coastal processes that influence this part of the region’s coastline, to identify a number of options for the community to consider.”
 
Mr Strong says the options identified range from doing nothing to a combination of river training and bank protection works.
 
“We’ll outline these options at the meeting, the advantages and disadvantages of each and what they might cost.
 
“As with all of Horizons river management activities the cost of that work will be mostly targeted to those who receive the benefit – in this case the Waikawa Beach community. We’re intending to review our Ohau-Manakau scheme next year and a component of that review will include determining to what level we’ll look to manage both the mouth and the erosion occurring immediately to the south.”
 
The meeting will take place at Manakau Hall at 10am on Saturday 8 June.