All disposal options considered

A major beach clean-up removed thousands of tonnes of log slash dumped on the beach in severe storms last June. Picture by Shaan Te Kani

Tolaga Bay, Kaiaua and Gisborne beaches are likely to be first in line for clearing of hundreds of thousands of cubic metres of wood debris from the June flooding.

A Gisborne District Council newsletter says there is no quick or easy solution to clean-up and dispose of the wood.

The plan, depending on affordability and a disposal plan for the debris, is being firmed up, with the recovery team looking to prioritise and focus on popular well-used areas in time for summer.

The total clean-up and disposal will continue over a number of months into next year.

Debris was spread across multiple locations and each area needs to be dealt with individually.

At Tikapa Beach there is pine but also a lot of native wood among the debris, whereas Tolaga Bay Beach has predominantly forestry slash.

There are a number of issues to consider, including environmental.

“In environmentally-sensitive areas where there is lots of wildlife, bringing heavy equipment on to the beach might cause more harm,” the newsletter says.

In past years, debris had been pushed up on the sand dunes to help stabilise them but this may not be appropriate in some areas due to the amount of wood.

Considerable resources would also be required if there was an option to transport it elsewhere.

Burning is an option for some of the wood but, given the scale of debris, it is unlikely it can all be burned.

“Burning driftwood releases toxins — namely dioxins — as the wood is infused by salt. This is the reason why it should not be burned in a fireplace, as it’s corrosive and will rust the firebox and flue.”

Consideration was also being given to shredding the wood into mulch but the wood needed to be dry to reduce the amount of sand.

A trial is planned to get an idea of how much time and cost would be involved.

Also, drone footage has been analysed to determine where slash and debris has accumulated in upper catchments.

“We are assessing the risk of further mobilisation of debris from forests in the Waimata and Mangapoike catchments, and at Waiomatatini and Tikapa.”

Science experts from GNS flew across the region earlier this month looking at where landslides and damage occurred more widely.

Enhanced Taskforce Green crews have so far cleaned three properties out of the 30 registered with the Rural Support Trust.They began by clearing flood debris by hand from fences and paddocks last week in the Tolaga Bay and Te Karaka areas.