The letter said an independent geotechnical report had found a high risk of landslides affecting \u201cmuch, and possibly all of the campground\u201d. <\/p>\n
Residents were told it would likely take millions of dollars of major engineering and drainage work to make the area safe.<\/p>\n
The site has been closed since and former residents have removed their property.<\/p>\n
The wall maintenance work is at the boat ramp end with a projected cost of $250,000.<\/p>\n
Work includes replenishing rock along the wall, installing a stormwater pipe, partial reconstruction of the boat access ramp, drainage improvements and sealing.<\/p>\n
Work is expected to be completed by April 10, weather permitting.<\/p>\n
Tim Turvey is a long-time resident of nearby Te Awanga, and said the money could have gone to protecting his and his neighbours\u2019 homes, rather than the sparsely populated area.<\/p>\n
\u201cA rock wall similar to this in cost could have been put in front of Te Awanga,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis would have helped save 400 houses in Te Awanga rather than a costly campground, cafe and farmhouse.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just annoyed that the town of Te Awanga is forgotten when a council campground takes precedence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turvey said 50 years ago, residents dumped concrete where the rock wall is, which protected the area from erosion.<\/p>\n
He said the council removed the concrete around 2011 and erosion then set in, eating away at the motor camp\u2019s road.<\/p>\n
HDC then built the road and rock wall.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was always a mystery to me that the council would spend all this time and money on such a small camping ground,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Clifton Station owner Dinah Gordon lives in the farmhouse next to Hygge Cafe.<\/p>\n
She recalled people dumping concrete where the sea wall now is and had seen the road to the former motor camp rebuilt four times.<\/p>\n
She estimated 20m to 30m of land had been eaten by the sea.<\/p>\n
However, Gordon said the sea wall needed continued management by the council, as so much money had already been spent.<\/p>\n
Hawke\u2019s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) deputy chair Jerf van Beek said dumping concrete along the shoreline would not be a \u201ccompliant activity\u201d.<\/p>\n
HBRC acknowledged coastal erosion was a \u201csignificant\u201d concern for coastal communities.<\/p>\n
However, van Beek said, \u201cat present\u201d Hastings District Council was leading responses to urgent issues at Te Awanga. <\/p>\n
These include repairing the beach crest after storms and installing an \u201cEcoReef\u201d to protect the area\u2019s stormwater lagoons.<\/p>\n
A HDC spokesperson said the council had budgeted for the rock wall maintenance work. <\/p>\n