Managed retreat is on the table for Dunedin's iconic southern coastline, which is being eroded by climate-related sea level rise. Dunedin City Council's recently released Whakahekerau-Rakiātea Rautaki Tai/St Clair-St Kilda Coastal Plan reviews four coastal management options, including coastal setback to shore-up the coast between these beaches.
The plan also pays special attention to an old landfill site at Middle Beach, whose contents are at risk of being expose by the sea. Among the aims here are improving beach access, to plan for planting and sand stockpiling and to continue modelling for longer term solutions. The plan is out now for public consultation until December 17th. Kathryn is joined by Dunedin City Mayor Aaron Hawkins and City Council Coastal Specialist Tom Simons-Smith.
