Hopes for speedy repairs

Hastings District Council, on behalf of the Clifton Reserve Society, applied for a resource consent to allow temporary erosion protection work at the camp, at the entrance of Cape Kidnappers, which was hit hard by high sea swells over a week ago.

The consent was lodged with Hawke's Bay Regional Council, which was responsible for environmental matters, including sea erosion impacts on the land.

Society co-chairwoman Dionne Thomas said the nearby "number two" Clifton motorcamp had been tidied up and was back in operation.

The "number one" camp, which sustained most of the erosion damage, still did not have road access but people were able to walk into the site.

"You can't get a vehicle down there, certainly no one has been in to retrieve any items of significance but anyway, everyone in there is nor prepared to move.

"We are optimistic we are going to have access back in a matter of weeks, rather than months."

Mrs Thomas said the society was not expecting a quick turn around from the regional council over whether to approve the consent.

"They will want to consider it wisely and we are hoping they will respond in a timely matter."

A Hawke's Bay Today poll on Facebook asked whether ratepayer money should be spent repairing Clifton Motorcamp and most respondents voted yes.

Other comments on the Facebook page supported saving the camp.

Pracilla Hay said the community should "retain and maintain" the camp.

"It's an important part of the Hawke's Bay coastline. What are the powers that be thinking!

"It should have had attention long ago. Save it!"

Linda Hogan said: "We must save Clifton Camp, it is a wonderful camping facility which is utilised by hundreds of people every year from all walks of life, great clean facilities and a wonderful place for families to camp.

"There are very few places that families can afford to camp/holiday at, everyone who stays there says what a wonderful place it is."