Help move the track

It has been around two years since a big storm accelerated the erosion around the Raumati South end of the coastal track in Queen Elizabeth Park. Barriers and signs at either end of the erosion went up quickly after the storm to prevent walkers and mountain bikers from falling into the sand. They are still there. So are the wellworn tracks that circumnavigate the barriers. These days’ hundreds of people regularly walk this coastal route and the worst thing that happens to them is a shoefull of sand. Surely Greater Wellington Regional Council can spare a few thousand dollars to reroute the 200m of eroded track affected. It isn’t particularly dangerous and I get that the regional council have to put barriers and signs up to give a level of protection against claims by people falling over and twisting an ankle. Fact is that people in droves still use the track as it’s a very scenic and pleasant walk. Come on GWRC, the erosion will go on in these climate change days of our lives. Spend a few bob and take the track a few metres inland so we can all enjoy this part of the park — without getting sand in our shoes.

SIMON CULLEN RAUMATI SOUTH believes that it is “a game changer for the district”, creating “a whole new ethos for who we are”. The mayor echoes those sentiments, saying “it is a vision” providing a “community heart”.

The Ka¯ piti Economic Development Agency agrees and introduces entrepreneur Marco Zeeman as being “well-known for his role as instigator and chair of the SinkF69 Trust, which successfully scuttled the former navy frigate HMNZS Wellington off Wellington’s south coast in 2005”.

That experience provides a useful warning of the danger of being too carried away by a zealous belief. An expert report provided before the sinking was given the green light told that the ship would be moved around by a strong current.

Since that critical current was less than the average current along the coast, the conclusion was there was no problem. But the real danger is in a storm. A phone call to NIWA would have provided the information that currents much more powerful than the estimated critical level had been measured, and reported, for that region.

The science got it right. Within two months the first storm broke the frigate in three and tumbled the pieces around. For some time, debris washed ashore in every subsequent southerly storm. The broken wreckage was off limits to all but expert divers and the expensive project never delivered the promised benefits.

JOHN ROBINSON

WAIKANAE