Planting first promised in 2018 to stop erosion of the sand dunes at the Papahua Domain is running two years late. A Waikato District Council spokesperson said, “The planting will be completed by September 2021”.
further up the estuary is causing erosion
Planting of the dunes at Raglan’s Papahua Domain was planned by WDC to prevent further erosion that had been occurring since new walk-bridge was constructed further up the inlet. This first was referred to in the minutes of a Coastal Reserves committee meeting from 2018 (as seen in the Raglan Community Board minutes for March 2018).
A July investigation by Raglan Community Radio of the site in question showed further erosion in the area which would suggest planting is urgently needed. Station Manager Aaron Mooar asked the council, “Can you tell us what has happened to the project and when/if it will be happening in the future? Also, is planting the only solution to the problem or would council consider the option of some kind of wall to mimic the structure of the old footbridge which used to provide some dune protection?”
WDC provided this response to the questions, “The plan this financial year (21/22) is to complete planting following the harbour’s edge heading inland towards Papahua and making its way around to the airstrip bridge. This year plants have been allocated to Wainamu, Te Kopua and Papahua supplied by the Waikato Regional Council.
“Waikato District Council will assist with fencing, dune shaping and entrance ways. Having healthy dunes planted up with native species suited to the environment can help build resilience into the landscape as these plants can collect and hold sand better than non-native plant assemblages, and therefore can help re-build dunes over time, but cannot prevent erosion occurring as such.
“In the Raglan Coastal Reserves Management Plan, which is due to be adopted, and made available to the public, on 28 July, it says that there is the potential (dependent on expert recommendation) to install a sand groyne under the new foot bridge in an attempt to mitigate coastal erosion.”
The council later said the planting would be done in September 2021.