A major coastal protection project is about to get underway in Katikati, with more than half a million dollars being invested to renew deteriorating sections of the seawall at MacMillan Reserve.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council says work on the $576,000 project will begin on Monday, 14 September, replacing sections of the existing rock seawall that have deteriorated over time.
The new sections will be designed and constructed to modern standards, strengthening protection for the surrounding coastline and helping safeguard the popular community reserve for future generations.
SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS OF WORK
Construction is expected to take between six and eight weeks, although the timetable will depend on weather and tidal conditions.
The scale of the work means there will be temporary disruption for people who regularly use MacMillan Reserve.
Heavy trucks, machinery and large quantities of rock will be moving through the site, requiring the reserve, footpath and half of the car park to close during working hours.
Those restrictions will apply between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
The reserve’s two freedom camping parks will be completely closed for the duration of the project.
However, the boat ramp will remain open throughout the work.
COASTAL PROTECTION FOR THE FUTURE
The project represents another investment in protecting public infrastructure and community spaces along the Western Bay of Plenty coastline.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council Reserves and Facilities Assets Manager Janine Field says MacMillan Reserve is an important community asset and strengthening the seawall will provide greater coastal protection while helping ensure the reserve remains available for future generations.
The investment also comes as councils around Aotearoa face increasing scrutiny over the resilience of coastal infrastructure and the long-term cost of maintaining public assets located close to the moana.
For coastal communities, seawalls can play an important role in protecting reserves and other infrastructure from erosion and wave action, but they also require ongoing maintenance as structures age and environmental conditions change.
At Katikati, the existing rock structure has now reached the point where sections require renewal.
SAFETY RESTRICTIONS DURING CONSTRUCTION
The construction area will be securely fenced and signposted while work is underway.
Traffic and pedestrian management measures will also be operating around the site, and reserve users are being asked to follow temporary restrictions and take particular care around construction activity.
Council has acknowledged the inconvenience the project will create for neighbouring residents and people who regularly use the reserve.
But after six to eight weeks of disruption, the intention is to leave Katikati with a stronger coastal defence designed to serve the community well into the future.
With $576,000 being invested in the renewal, the work is ultimately about protecting more than a wall of rock.
It is about protecting an important piece of Katikati’s coastline and ensuring MacMillan Reserve remains a community space for generations to come.
#Katikati #MacMillanReserve #WesternBayOfPlenty #BayOfPlenty #Seawall #CoastalProtection #CoastalErosion #CoastalResilience #ClimateResilience #Infrastructure #LocalInfrastructure #LocalGovernment #WesternBay #Moana #Environment #Community #RegionalNZ #RegionalInfrastructure #Kaitiakitanga #Aotearoa #NZNews #LocalNews #MaoriNews #WaateaNews #RadioWaatea
