Buller residents 'never advised' they'd have to shift

Coastal erosion is seen to be an issue for the coastline. Photo / iStock

Some Northern Buller residents say they were never advised of a report released nine years ago, advising them to consider relocating within a decade.

The West Coast Regional Council recently left a stack of reports on coastal erosion, written by the National Institute for Weather and Atmospheric Research, at the Buller Bay Information Centre for locals to read.

NIWA Pacific Rim manager Doug Ramsay's report, from October 2006, said continuing erosion would be an ongoing issue along the Granity coastline.

"Whilst there is no property presently at critical risk... Such risk will increase over the foreseeable future."

None of the proposed solutions, such as groynes, bunds or gabions, would "solve" the problem. They would only adapt and manage Granity's erosion and provide increased protection and breathing space to residents at the northern end of the village.

"Property owners at the northern end of Granity should be mindful that the need to relocate property will ultimately be a reality and that planning an exit strategy over the coming decade or so would be advisable," the 2006 report said.

WCRC planning and environment manager Michael Meehan told The News recently the council had held public meetings in 2006/2007 with Granity, Hector and Ngakawau to discuss sea erosion.

These meetings resulted in the council commissioning Mr Ramsay to write a report on Granity in 2006 and Ngakawau/Hector in 2007.

Mr Meehan said the information was presented at public meetings where mitigation options were also discussed.

"At the time, the community elected not to proceed with any of the mitigation works council put forward."

However, two Northern Buller residents don't recall being told they may have to shift.

Dick Marsh has lived in Hector for 30 years. He bought a property on Torea Street in Granity six years ago, which his son currently lives in.

Mr Marsh said he did not recall being told in 2006 or 2007 that local residents might have to shift in the coming decade.

He said there had been some big tides recently, and his Torea Street property had been badly affected.

Kevin Buckley has lived on Ives Street in Hector for 30 years. He also does not recall being told in 2006 or 2007 about relocating.

He said trees he had planted many years ago were starting to be affected by the tide. However, his property was not as badly affected as some at the far end of Hector.

"Just a stroll along the beach -- it's obvious it is having an effect."

He believed there were plans to put in a rock bund, but he was unsure how effective it would be.

Miners on Sea owner Phil Perrott said the reports were pretty well publicised.

He was not in his current location when they were written, but said the news that people would have to relocate in the coming decade was not a surprise.

"It sounds to me like they haven't been taking enough interest in what's been happening around them, because even back in those days they had a big public meeting on that same issue."

The WCRC did not respond to questions from The News asking why it hadn't written to residents, instead of relying on them to attend a meeting.

- Westport News