In our interview with Raglan Community Board Chair Dennis Amoore, significant updates were shared on several pressing issues affecting the community. From the long-awaited progress on the Manu Bay break wall to the ongoing concerns of erosion, Dennis provided insights into the council's plans and the challenges ahead.
Manu Bay Break Wall: Progress and Challenges
At the latest stakeholder meeting held July 25, Tonkin and Taylor and eCoast presented five solutions for the overtopping and surge issues at the boat ramp, each with different impacts on the surf - an internationally recognised surf break of significance. Options one and two caused too much wave reflection but the other three deflected the waves in a direction that minimised the impact on the surf break. ECoast noted these would not significantly differ from the current waves.
“There was quite a lot of discussion about the technicalities of the five options. We had representatives from iwi, Point Boardriders, and the Sports Fishing Club,” said Dennis.
The Point Boardriders oppose modifications, while the Sports Fishing Club insists on addressing overtopping and surge issues. The council’s next task is to review past work and insure they have met all obligations regarding the break wall construction, as there is still debate over the constructed ramp's footprint and effectiveness. The matter will then be taken to the WDC Infrastructure Committee for consideration.
Erosion on the shore side of the break wall, particularly to the onshore side of the break wall has also become a concern. The council must determine if this erosion is natural or exacerbated by the break wall and then decide on a management strategy.
Papahua Roading and Erosion
The council's stance on natural erosion has been questioned due to significant land loss over the past 18 months. While some areas, like the camping ground with old tyres, have remained stable, others face substantial erosion.
The council is exploring options to mitigate erosion and manage the coastal environment, with comparisons to severe erosion at places like Port Waikato emphasising the need for sustainable solutions. There is also a planned upgrade of the Papahua road and car parks set to begin this August which brings into question the cost-effectiveness of an upgrade when nearby erosion hasn’t been addressed.
Dennis confirms concerns about erosion in the Papahua area, linked to bridge changes made a decade ago. Local scientist Shaw Meade suggested building a groyne under the bridge to restore the original conditions, noting that removing the original bridge (which acted as a groyne) created potential for more erosion to occur.
The community awaits the council's next steps, hoping for a resolution that addresses the erosion effectively. This issue remains on the Papahua board’s agenda, with a meeting held a year ago exploring options but no further progress made. The project is still on the council's to-do list.
Te Uku Recycling Center
Xtreme Zero Waste (XZW) has confirmed that the future of the Te Uku recycling centre is now in the hands of council staff, who are exploring various options, including maintaining the current setup, relocating the centre, or introducing a pickup service.
A major challenge is the cost, with XZW not being adequately reimbursed by the council for the work currently required to keep it clean and tidy. A bi-weekly collection service is a favoured solution for Dennis, as it would eliminate the need for the centre. However, council decisions are still pending.
The centre has faced misuse due to a lack of on-site staff, leading to overuse and illegal rubbish dumping.
Wainui Reserve Development and Parking
Dennis is meeting shortly with the Waikato District Council's Parks and Reserves Manager re key issues about parking at Wainui Reserve for the upcoming season and plans for a new cycleway connecting the reserve to the new concrete footpath via Wainui Bush reserve and new path across one of the parks paddocks.
Dennis would like to see both these sorted before summer.
Dennis acknowledged the current parking situation is inadequate during busy summer days. "The paved parking area fills up quickly, and if the overflow parking isn't open, everyone ends up parking on no-parking lines, leading to many parking tickets," he said.
Dennis says that overflow parking needs to be consistently available, except for occasional midweek closures when stock might be in the paddock.
CCTV Cameras Await Council Review
The installation of CCTV cameras in town, a priority for the business community, is still pending. Dennis acknowledged the delay, citing a district-wide review and coordination with Hamilton City Council for monitoring. The project remains on the community board's works and actions list.
Walkway Update
The upgraded Wi Neera walkway is back open with a temporary handrail. Final adjustments, including the installation of a permanent handrail, are scheduled for August. The walkway is expected to be fully completed by Christmas.
Motorsports Bylaw Submissions
The Motorsports Events Bylaw is open for public comment until Monday. Community board members have reviewed it and made minor suggestions. Residents, especially those from Ruapuke, are encouraged to submit their feedback promptly at this link.
Civil Defence Planning
As part of a local emergency response plan, Dennis is hoping for a meeting in four to six weeks to discuss attracting volunteers for the Raglan civil defence committee. Dennis explained that the goal is to fill various roles within the existing draft plan, ensuring the plan stays up-to-date and that leadership is in place for emergencies.
"We need people for roles in communications, logistics, medical support, and more," Dennis said. "It's about finding individuals willing to volunteer and take on leadership roles to ensure we can respond effectively in emergencies."
Anyone interested in joining the civil defence team should contact Dennis or Councillor Lisa Thomson. The council is keen to involve community members in various functions, from accommodation and logistics to medical support, ensuring all vulnerable residents are cared for during emergencies.
Wharf Project and Boat Ramp Maintenance
The wharf project is nearing completion, with minor tasks like signage and boat ramp resurfacing remaining. The boat ramp will be resurfaced in stages to ensure continuous access. The idea of a boat ramp fee to fund maintenance has been discussed but was not taken up by Council.
Privet Taken Off the Agenda
The issue of privet has been taken off the agenda as it’s not considered a Raglan Community Board issue.
"Yes, it's been taken off the noxious weeds list," Dennis confirmed. "Someone, in their wisdom, decided it's not a problem anymore, hence not a noxious weed even though it was believed to be an issue for asthmatics and people with hay fever."
Despite the removal, the impact on those sensitive to privet remains a concern. "We've certainly seen an increase in the amount of it growing on the side of the road between Raglan and Whatawhata," he added.
Upcoming Community Board Meeting
The next community board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 11 September 1.30pm and will be held in the Te Uku Hall.