Important harbour study to get underway

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<<MANGAWHAI MATTERS >>

 

19 Dec, 2022

 

Mangawhai Matters Society Inc is to commission and fund two studies to provide the community insights into the future of Mangawhai harbour, the threats it faces, and how these might be managed in the future.

The harbour lies at the heart of the Mangawhai community in many ways. It underpins the growth of our town, the well-being of its residents and businesses, and its appeal to holidaymakers. It also supports significant biodiversity, including regionally and nationally important seabird populations.

The Community Survey undertaken by Mangawhai Matters in 2021 confirmed that for both residents and visitors the significance of the coastal environment was overwhelming. The character of the town is shaped by the physical environment.

“The integrity of the harbour and its capacity to continue fulfilling these functions are under threat,” says Society chairman Doug Lloyd. “The damage to the coastline from La Nina weather conditions over the past 18 months points to the possible impact of a warming climate.

“Along with rising sea levels, the prospect of more severe storm erosion of the distal spit threatens the long-term existence of the harbour,” he says. “Increasing easterly winds will deposit even more sand in the harbour, closing channels, and encroaching on adjoining properties. The harbour may once more become difficult for boating and recreation generally.

“Similarly, increased sedimentation from more intensive rainstorms over the past two years may be a sign of things to come, especially as development continues in the catchment. This has the potential to degrade water quality and reduce harbour volume, further reducing its appeal for recreation and its capacity to support wildlife.”

Mr Lloyd outlined the two studies and what their focus will be.

One will review the evidence on physical challenges to the estuary. It will assess the effects of rural and urban land use change in the catchment, including the impact of sedimentation on tidal flow. It will also assess the impact of coastal erosion from sand movement resulting from storms and other factors.

“By adopting a comprehensive approach to the physical risks facing the harbour we should be well placed to support initiatives by the Department of Conservation (DoC) and others to maintain the spit as a significant wildlife reserve,” said Mr Lloyd.

“Much of the evidence for the study of the physical environment exists in a wide range of specialist reports and archives. However, it needs to be drawn together to ensure we understand the big picture issues driving change, on the one hand, and to address the resulting threats that are most significant for Mangawhai, on the other.”

The second study will seek to value the economic, social, and ecological benefits the harbour provides and identify which of those may be most impacted if there are significant changes to the harbour.

It will draw on a variety of sources, covering, for example, expenditure on conservation, restoration, and recreation, business activity, the holiday sector, council spending and income, and property values.

“Understanding the economic value of the harbour will require information from residents, bach owners, and visitors about their use of the harbour and what it means to them,” said Mr Lloyd. “For the latter, we anticipate a survey will be undertaken over the summer.”

These were important initiatives, he said.

“They will be useful to the various agencies with responsibilities around the harbour, including the district and regional councils, DoC, volunteer groups such as the Fairy Tern and Shorebird trusts, the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society, and the Mangawhai Business Association.

“They will also ensure that Mangawhai Matters can continue to focus on the big issues that affect our community and its development while those responsible for the wellbeing of the environment and community work together to maintain the quality and contribution of the harbour.”

Commissioning independent experts would also ensure that the information provided was balanced and the conclusions objective, said Mr Lloyd.

“For this reason, we will be approaching interested parties and government agencies for funding, and would welcome the support and opinions of our wider community,” he said. “We will keep you informed of progress through these pages and our website.”

 

n Want to join the Mangawhai Matters Society Inc. as a member and have a say? It’s only $20 per family per year. Please make deposits to 01-0204-0160241-00. Following your payment please email us at mangawhaimatters@gmail.com giving us your name, phone, and address so we can keep in touch.

 

Mangawhai Matters will commission independent experts to evaluate and determine the future and management of Mangawhai harbour. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

“Along with rising sea levels, the prospect of more severe storm erosion of the distal spit threatens the long-term existence of the harbour.”

- Doug Lloyd

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