Crews working to clear woody debris from Tolaga, Tokomaru

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Six contracting crews have been working to clear the beaches at Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay.

Kuru Contracting Ltd has had three crews at Tolaga Bay, clearing the estimated 21,000 cubic metres of wood debris. They cart it to a site in Paroa Road where it is burnt by FRM Holdings using a purpose-built fan and active high-oxygen burner.

An estimated 4441 cubic metres is being cleared at Tokomaru Bay.  It is being transported to the transfer station for burning.

Both beach plans will be completed by Christmas, says the Gisborne District Council.

Last month’s heavy rain has delayed the schedule. Waipiro Bay and Whangara Beach have been cleared.

The wood debris clean-up in the region is 100 percent government funded.