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Question 2: Candidate Response

What Our Candidates are Telling Us.

Question 2: What is a top priority you would address in the Whanganui District Council Coastal Action Plan?  Explain your choice and suggest what you consider a reasonable timeline.

James Newell: I believe the formation of dunes in front is the only way forward, so moving surf club back for better visibility.

Charlotte Melser: My top priority is addressing erosion and protecting the dune ecosystems. From Jim Dahms Coastal Study, there were 3 options presented to the community. My preferred option was restoring and regenerating a coastal forest. This was presented as the best way to secure the dunes and best protect Castlecliff from the impacts of climate change.

Jenny Duncan: There are two priorities. The most serious is erosion at the Kai Iwi Mowhanau end of the beach. This is increasing and will be extremely costly to manage. This is a longer-term project and could take the next 3, 5, 10 years.  The second issue is dune erosion and stabilisation from Rangiora Street to the North Mole, maybe even from Long beach but to a lesser degree. For the dunes to be replanted to stabilise, there needs to be a plan on how they should look, what they should be used for (recreation) and what amenities are provided. Then the heavy work of reshaping and replanting can continue. This should be well underway in the next 2 years.

Rob Vinsen: The Coastal Action Plan is still in its formative stage. However, many want restricted or no access for vehicles ( except for emergencies ) and motorbikes. I support this view as the intrusion of vehicles ruins the enjoyment of the natural environment. A willing Council could impose these restrictions immediately.

Julian Bailey (Rural Community Board - Kaitoke subdivision): I’m not up to date with the Council Coastal Plan, but I have participated with my trusty spade in Dune replanting which seems to me the best place to start. Know the actual problem before seeking a solution seems logical.

Rory Smith: Really not sure how to answer without more information on the progress to date on the various projects listed. I can’t find specific mention of the Duncan Pavillion, but this building is being encroached by sand and has structural rust becoming an increasing issue. In terms of urgency, this would have to be near the top.

Alan Taylor - Horizons-Whanganui Constituency: As current Chair of the WDC committee responsible for the Coastal Action Plan I have steadfastly supported this initiative. My top priority would be to severely restrict vehicle access to the dune and foreshore area. The fragility of this dynamic environment is compromised by any unnatural action that disturbs the surface…nature does the rest when flora is disturbed.

Glenda Brown: Erosion is a big factor that always needs to be maintained. Dune planting as part of the Te PÅ«waha project is great and needs to be monitored to ensure it is enough to keep the dunes stablised. The shifting of sand is a continual maintenance that needs to be consistently worked on to maintain the contours of the beach. Encouraging families by creating picnic areas would compliment the fishing platforms (also initiated in the Te PÅ«waha project).  Community consultation is vital here to hear from those living in the area and what is impacting on their living environment.

Scott Phillips: I would first look at the recommendations and work from there. Unfortunately, I don’t know enough yet to have the answers, but my thoughts are to consider the plan carefully and work on sensible solutions for the long term.

Daniel (DC) Harding: As I believe that the council hold a conduit role, the expression of my top priority is difficult due to the nature of how I see council’s role.  I have and will continue to support, the work the Coastal Action Group continue to play in protecting the sand dunes through planting more flora on the coastline from the North Mole down.  Planting native trees are also important to support the growth and stabilisation of the dunes, whilst also reducing greenhouse emissions. 

Ross Fallen:  Housing: Council has a Housing strategy, it is a well-funded and resourced partnerships plan, and has now mapped areas of council land that can be utilised. All this takes time, as a quick fix can lead to ghetto perceptions. Working with iwi is under way to support their wishes and a Maori World View needs appreciation in consultation. It took decades of neglect to create this and it won’t be a quick fix in 1-2 years. A reasonable time limt to support those at the peak of crisis is so hard to gauage with reality and red tape. I am very concerned for women seeking refuge and those with mental health issues. We have the one of the highest rates of spousal abuse and where do they go? Query, if Whanganui became known NZ wide as solving our crisis in 12 months would it not be an advert for more influx? Back to homelessness? Do we make rules for a local residency period to qualify despite someone’s suffering. How would or can we manage that? The fix is not simple and timelines are arbitrary despite human misery.

David Cotton - Horizons, Whanganui Constituency: I support the Coastal Action Plan and support all groups working together to achieve positive results for the community. I have in the past actively supported a number of groups seeking funding from Horizons, including the likes of Bushy Park.

Andrew Tripe: Continue with the planting to prevent sand movement until sufficiently completed.  The erosion at Mowhanau at Kai Iwi Beach is also a priority to review and understand.

Kate Joblin: I don’t have a top priority.  We just need to stay the course and not let up on the actions.  This means keeping up the energy and resource devoted to the action plan.  If council does not continue to resource the plan, not much will happen

Helen Craig: Dune protection and regeneration of vegetation etc are a priority especially to protect against increasing storm damage and eventual sea rise. We have to do it, and do it without delay.

Roy Brown: Top priority would be to continue beautifying and planting our wonderful coastline. I want Government and Local Council to look to put funding aside/donations for this purpose. Rubbish disposal is also very important, and we need to work hard to educate our communities about this, provide effective disposal locations and really take ownership in these areas. In order to investigate the most effective way to do this and then actually get it done I would consider a reasonable timeline over the next 12-24 months to be appropriate.

Blair Jones: The maintenance of the place a fun and vibrant place, coasts bring memories and hopefully happy ones that bring people together to maintain area of significance and If you do up the pavilion I will love you; with history and Maori inclusion or co-governance together, it is iconic and iconic brings money and money brings progress and happy nostalgic and new memories next to the best coast, in the world.  I’m not sure how long building structure change takes but 2 years max I would fight for, he sea don’t wait. The idea of shoring up mowhanau, including the community and kids programs; and cleaning up areas is at once building for mental health and happy community.

Rodd Trott: Top priority I would have thought is coastal planting and preventing erosion by Community workgroups supported by the Department of Conservation. This needs to be addressed as soon as possible to prevent further erosion of the sand dunes and to prevent dune movement. 

Michael Law: Areas of coastal that are at risk of dune erosion require immediate attention. This can be hit pain problems by beautification that allows better drainage and more stable dunes but would also make it harder for vehicles to use and disrupt the natural beach areas that are at risk.

Charlie Anderson: Sand Dune stabilising is a priority, in my opinion, it would be my preference to have planting complete within say 12 months, with ongoing maintenance as needed for the rest of the time.

Philippa Baker-Hogan: We need to severely restrict vehicle access to the dune and foreshore area which could be implemented within 6 months, with a proactive Council.

Dan Jackson: Erosion management and dune planting. Keep involving the community in the work so people feel a part of the effort. It should be ongoing.

Phillip (Bear) Rewiti: Do away with Three Waters, put a halt to the water plant in Whanganui East. Concerns related to the location of the proposed Courthouse due to locals safety.

Allan Wrigglesworth - Horizons, Whanganui Constituency: Fencing off the dunes to block vehicle access. The dune system is important for several reasons, including its role as a stable barrier to Tsunamis and increasing coastal erosion. The high dunes adjacent to the North Mole have been severely degraded over the last four decades due to vehicles driving all over them, destroying flora and allowing loose sand to continually move onto the area around the Morgan St extension. The sand has also dramatically raised the berm at Morgan St beach, degrading its quality as a surf spot and increasing flooding on the road there during high seas.

Hamish McDouall: My priority would be the protection of the dune ecosystem – preventing vehicle access to these fragile formations and replanting and regenerating with the appropriate native vegetation. The north-west of the beach the pace of erosion is increasing, and I am very cautious about supporting artificial interventions. We cannot engineer our way out of the inevitability of climate change.

James Barron: Dunes areas protection, pest plant esp wattle control & establishing a coastal forest on dunes from Rangiora to Waiwherowhero stream outlet. Kai Iwi coastal planning & mitigation/retreat.

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