The Mount Maunganui surf reef has now been partially removed, and the seabed has begun to return to its natural level.
A final report from Underwater Solutions Ltd, the company undertaking the work, says the seabed has been about 80 per cent levelled, but there were still depressions and humps where the bags had been removed.
The Mount Maunganui surf reef has now been partially removed.
However, once some decent swells move through, the area should level out.
Removal of the reef started in late September, with contractors cutting open the large bags on the seabed and releasing the sand inside.
The large bags, weighing several tonnes, were removed by barge, says Bay of Plenty Regional Council senior pollution prevention officer John Morris.
During the final inspection some lower bags had been slightly exposed by sand scouring around the bags with wave action.
Some of the lower bags were cut open to allow them to deflate but remain on the seabed, and once the seabed levelled out they should be covered over.
'The contractors will now leave the site for three-to-six months before inspecting it again,” says John.
6 comments
Who pays the bill?
Posted on 09-12-2014 10:41 | By Annalist
Has a bill been sent to those accountable for what I think has been an extraordinary waste of money on this reef? Where were all the benefits that I think were forecast???
Surf Sucks Now
Posted on 09-12-2014 13:30 | By Surfwatch
While the reef did not do what it was supposed to do, as a partial obstruction it helped lay a sand bank towards Clyde Street and Hart Street. The surf there was getting reasonable. Since the removal of the reef, scouring has begun between Cutters Cove and Clyde Street, the waves now break at the sand where the scouring has occurred. Lets hope this situation rights itself. What we need is a rock groyne at Tay Street, which could be used for fishing, walking sitting, and even boating on a calm day. This will build up the sand on either side of the groyne giving good consistent rights and lefts for surfers and not the unpredictable beach breaks at the moment. I never thought I would say this "bring back the reef" or something like it.
Watch A Little Longer
Posted on 10-12-2014 08:16 | By Disappointed
@Surfwatch.Old timers know that before the artificial reef there were quality banks from Cutters Cove to Crossroads. The installation of the reef that never worked did occasionally produce some reasonable banks to the side however many believe that overall it actually did more harm than good. It is still very early days since removal and with no swell since October the sand has yet to return to the natural scheme of things. Patience grasshopper!
Surfwatch
Posted on 10-12-2014 08:21 | By expatAucklander
Completely agree with you. Don't see funding being approved though, especially with the elderly keyboard warriors grumbling about every dollar the council spends....
Annalist
Posted on 10-12-2014 08:46 | By RawPrawn
Unfortunately, many of those responsible have long since fled the coop! The upside is that we now have relatively safe beach back in that area
@expatAucklander...
Posted on 10-12-2014 12:11 | By Jimmy Ehu
I have been surfing this stretch of beach for 45 years, go where the breaks are and stop being so bloody lazy expecting ratepayers to pay for your leisure time, if you do not like it here, go back to Auckland and surf Mission Bay, the beach was fine the way it was, before some stupid academic sold the council a "lemon".
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