Seawall to shield site

WHAKATANE - The Department of Conservation has been granted resource consent to build a protective seawall at Ohiwa Harbour, near Whakatane.

The 45m sloping seawall will protect a historic Maori site on Ohiwa Loop Rd, about 14km southeast of Whakatane Heads, which has been damaged by coastal erosion. About 12m of land has eroded over the past 30 years.

The consent was opposed by two people, and a pre-hearing earlier this year failed to reach a compromise. A special hearings committee of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council agreed to grant the permit in late November, and the decision was ratified this week by the full council.

Construction of the seawall should begin early in the new year.

- NZPA