The Thames-Coromandel District Council says a total of 660 geotextile sandbags will be used to construct the backstop wall at Brophy's Beach in Mercury Bay.

Council expects construction of the geosynthetic container (sandbag) backstop wall, which will measure 530m long and is costing $862,000 to build, to be completed by mid-December.

Construction on the new 530m long geosynthetic container (sandbag) backstop wall at brophy's Beach is expected to be completed by mid-December. Photo: TCDC

Mercury Bay Area Manager Sam Marshall says a sand bag wall is appropriate at Brophy's Beach because the sea conditions are conducive to this style of backstop erosion protection.

'[Conditions] aren't as severe as at Buffalo Beach plus there's a greater distance of sand dune between the beach, the road and private properties.”

Once the wall is finished it will be covered with sand to create a sand dune effect with planting. The wall won't be visible, and will act as a backstop in the event that the covering sand is washed away.

Approximately 3,000m2 of sand dredged by Whitianga Marina is on site with 1,500m2 used to fill the sand bags, while the remaining 1,500m2 will be used to cover the bags and replenish the beach.

As part this work there will also be a realignment of the wastewater pipeline.

DUNE PLANTING DAY PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER

The Thames-Coromandel District Council plans to hold a Dune Planting Day on the central section of Buffalo Beach in Whitianga on Saturday, September 5, staring at 9am.

The public is invited to take part in the planting day, which will take place rain or shine, and to get involved all you'll need is a pair of gloves and a spade.

The Whitianga Lions Club is also kindly supplying water and a sausage sizzle for volunteers.

The council says this will be the third year of its dune restoration project which has helped replenish some 170m of dune so far.

'In the previous two years 10,000 native sand-binding plants and grass species, including spinifex and knobby club rush, which have excellent sand binding qualities, have been planted by volunteers.

'It is one of the measures we're working on to help restore and protect the sand dunes to prevent further coastal erosion to this area.”

The sections council previously worked on in the last two years are now well established and plants are spreading across the dunes.

The coastal planting day initiative is a joint project between our Council and the Waikato Regional Council to manage and protect Coromandel's coastline.

To take part in the Dune Planting Day meet at the Buffalo Beach Reserve Car Park with your gloves and a spade on Saturday, September 5, at 9am.