Papamoa pounded by oil

Waves of black oil are washing up on Papamoa beach today as the seaside suburb continues to be pounded with oil and floatsam from Rena.

SunLive photographer Tracy Hardy is on the beach near the Domain, and says you can smell the oil from 100 metres away.

Around 140 people, mostly consisting of soldiers from Linton Camp, banded together to clean up a six kilometre stretch of beach.

'The sea is just black, there are some spots where it's ok but it's mainly black.”

Tracy says there is a strange haze on the beach by the Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club as the Army and volunteers work hard to clear the beach.

'There are 140 people on the beach at Harrison Reserve who have been working from 9am and will continue until 6pm.”

Beaches are now closed from Mount Maunganui to Maketu and volunteers are being asked to phone 0800 645 774 or go to the volunteer post at Mount Maunganui and Omanu surf clubs to register for the clean up.

The clean up continues on the beach adjacent to Harrison Reserve.

Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby says a limited number of people can be accommodated at any beach spot, so the teams need to be coordinated through a response system.

'We know it's frustrating for local people, who are saying ‘these are our beaches and we want to be able to look after them. People are going onto the beaches and trying to clean up themselves, but they risk further damage to the beach and tracking oil into carparks and urban areas.

'They also bring in extra sand which is creating a bigger disposal problem than we already have. We need to co-ordinate this effort properly and we welcome the offers of help.”

Public meetings are being held at the following locations:

Thursday:

6pm at Mount Maunganui College hall.

Friday:

1pm at Mount Maunganui College hall.

6pm at Papamoa Sport and Recreation Centre.

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2 comments

Mount Lions Club are providing free sausages for volunteers on sat & sunday

Posted on 13-10-2011 16:18 | By Demandthetruth

Mount Lions club are supplying & cooking free sausages for volunteers on sat & sun. Perhaps other service clubs or churches could do so on other days. Portaloos are definitely needed - where are you EBOP or TCC ?? Maybe the Clubs like RSA,Mount Club, Citz Tga could supply the food & the other clubs could cook & supply. Lets go why not!! There are many ways to help.


Food/Cups & Napkins

Posted on 14-10-2011 10:07 | By born & raised

Good on you Mount Lions Club!!! That shows a great amount of support for these hard workers. I hope the Citz Club and others come to the party. If any locals want to help and have not yet been called up. You can contact Sammy 0277366231. Along with a few friends has set up a daily food run taking donations of food and water to those cleaning up our beaches. Last heard they desperately need cups & napkins. Volunteers are also needed to hand out the food. Home Baking is good. Lets pull together and help where needed to lift peoples spirits and return our beach to her former beauty. Get hold of Sammy and she will let you know where help is needed.


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