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West Coast Zone. Key features 426,000ha 6300+ km’s waterways (19% region) Geologically diverse, volcanic, alluvial & consolidated sediments 19% hill country mapped with soil slip erosion potential 140000ha high erosion risk pasture High biodiversity values throughout.
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West Coast Zone Key features • 426,000ha • 6300+ km’s waterways (19% region) • Geologically diverse, volcanic, alluvial & consolidated sediments • 19% hill country mapped with soil slip erosion potential • 140000ha high erosion risk pasture • High biodiversity values throughout • History of soil conservation LIA’s and catchment schemes • 4 TLA’s • 3 main urban areas • Kawhia, Whaingaroa, Aotea West Coast Catchment Liaison Subcommittee5th February 2013 Doc# 2304771
Item 1 Confirmation of agenda Item 2 Disclosures of interest Item 3Minutes of Previous Meetings • West Coast Liaison Subcommittee Pages 4-11 • Catchment Services Pages 12 Doc# 2287819 Item 4Matters Arising
Item 5 Chair’s report
Recommendation That the Chair’s verbal report be received.
Item 6 West Coast Status Report Pages 13-18 (Document # 2304626)
Key projects being implemented • River Management • Marokopa stage 2 • Spray maintenance programme • Waitetuna willow maintenance • Blockages • Follow up planting/maintenance
Key projects being implemented • Catchment New Works • Oparau station • Whaingaroa Harbour Care • Awakino river fencing – stage 1 • Lake Harihari • Pakoka river • Kaiori
Oparau Station • Why? • Large harbour margin - Kawhia • Regional/national SNA’s – coastal, wetlands, lake, forest, threatened species • Long term project • Multiple funding partners – NWR, WRC and trust so far • Motivated landowners
Oparau Station • On the ground works • Fencing tender completed pre-christmas • Contract awarded • Fence line marked out • Works started • Completion date 2014
Oparau Station • Future of project • Restoration planting and weed control – start this winter • Animal pest control – started • Works protected under NWR kawenata
Key projects being implemented • Biosecurity/Biodiversity • Whareorino - goats and possums • Mahoenui/Mokauiti - possum • Port Waikato/Waimarama - possum • Aotea – weeds • Karioi/Ruapuke
Recommendation That this Report ‘West Coast Zone status report - February 2013’ Doc# 2304626) dated 24th January 2013 be received.
Item 7 Draft Annual Plan Biosecurity/Biodiversity Operations for 2013/14 Pages 19-29 (Document #2333923)
Recommendation That this Report ‘Draft Annual Plan Biosecurity/Biodiversity Operations for 2013/14’ (Doc#2333923) dated 21st January 2013 be received.
Item 8 Beachcare update report Pages 30-35 (Document #2328435)
Waikato Beachcare UpdatePresentation overview Dune ecosystems - form and function Coastal hazards / biodiversity / cultural values Loss of dune lands Beachcare approach Beachcare group examples Questions
Natural dune systems • ProvideCoastal hazard mitigation • Reduce coastal flooding and erosion risk • Enhance the Natural character of our coasts • Important for amenity values, tourism • Important/threatened Biodiversity values • National priority ecosystem under the NZ Coastal Policy Statement • Contain cultural values and resources • Urupa site’s, weaving resources (pingao fibre)
What did our coast used to look like? Active “frontal-dune” zone
Native Sand binders • Sand-binding dune plants trap wind-blown sand building dune height and width • Spinifex / Pingao most important native species • Grow towards the sea • Easily damaged by pedestrians / vehicles
Dunes and coastal hazards Coastal dunes provide natural protection from coastal erosion and flooding by: • Providing a natural buffer that can absorb the impact of coastal erosion • Acting as a natural stop bank against coastal flooding during large storms and moderate tsunami • Naturally self-repairing following coastal erosion.
Stranded boat rests atop a sand dune that tsunami waves barely topped on a beach at Yala in southern Sri Lanka.
Cultural Resources Pingao fibre is used in ‘Tukutuku’ panels that are found in Marae and tell the family history (whakapapa) of that Iwi/Hapu. Harvesting Pingao fibre
Pingao Katipo spider in the base of a Pingao plant
‘Moko’ skink eating a pohuehue berry Biodiversity values Back-dune zone • Pohuehue (Muehlenbeckia complexa) • Important habitat for native copper butterfly • Provides shelter for insects/skinks from predators • Helps to reduce weed growth NZ’s native copper butterfly only lay their eggs in Pohuehue
Biodiversity – coastal forest zone • Eat fruit and nectar from our native trees • Help to spread seeds • Droppings fertilize the plants and trees
Loss of dune lands Only 11.6% of dune lands original extent remain • What caused this loss? • Burning / clearing • Grazing / cattle droving • Development • leveling/capping of dunes • Rabbits • Exotic plants
Waihi Beach Bay of Plenty region
Seawalls vs Dune Restoration • Seawalls successful at “holding the line”, but come with a number of adverse effects: • Narrowing or loss of high tide beach • No ability to accrete between storm events • Diminished natural character and biodiversity • Dune restoration comparison • 1%-10% of cost of seawalls • Dune care ethic created within community • Recreation / tourism enhanced
Issues today • Pest plant invasion/competition • Rabbit browsing • Vehicle damage to dune plants • Pedestrians / beach users • Remnants of dune leveling • Narrow buffer between development and sea • Fill being exposed during erosion, prevents establishment of plants crucial for dune recovery
Pest Plants Marram grass Garden escapees
Waikato Beachcare programme Community based dune restoration Dune planting working bee’s (weekends) Pest control Access-ways, signage Partnerships – WRC, TA’s, iwi, community Commenced 1994 – Whiritoa beach Currently 20 sites – 12 Coromandel / 8 West Coast
Beachcare Summary: 2011/2012 • 20 beaches • 50,000 native plants • 31 community working bee’s • Over 1,200 volunteer labour hours
West Coast • 8 active Beachcare groups • Highly dynamic environment • Challenging environment for dune restoration • Large waves, strong winds • Large shoreline changes • Entrenched culture of vehicle use