Save the Cape Coast, WOW
“The Cape Coast is literally in every other way giving Hawke’s Bay ‘an edge’. Here you will find everything that makes Hawke’s Bay a wonderful region for locals and tourists alike, an area of historic, natural, cultural and ‘national significance’.
This rugged iconic coastline where the waves beat on stone and gravel, ionising and invigorating the atmosphere, is representative of all that Kiwis hold dear in terms of holidaying by the beach, scenic beauty, fishing, swimming, surfing, boating, cycling or just taking a leisurely walk.
As well as its world famous inland Gannet Colony, this eclectic small community with a big heart has, in recent decades seen growth in new orchards, wineries, cafes and a vibrant body of creative and small businesses. Those who live here love the wild beauty of the natural landscape in the shadow of Cape Kidnappers and welcome the growing number of tourists who realise there’s something special about this place.
While they welcome you to the Cape Coast they would like you to be aware that this community faces an imminent threat from erosion and inundation which is undermining continued growth and confidence. Several Engineer’s reports confirm, that if the sea breaches the coastline and nothing is done to hold it back, it is likely to keep coming; taking with it low lying houses across Haumoana and parts of Te Awanga.
The local community has been engaging with local authorities for many years now to have a groyne-field put in place to help deflect high seas and replenish the beach. The WOW (Walking on Water) community group formed in May 2009 has picked up that challenge.
WOW (Walking on Water) is a volunteer group working for the protection and unification of the Cape Coast (Haumoana, Te Awanga & Clifton), a small community with a big heart, literally giving Hawke’s Bay ‘an edge’. WOW is here to ensure locals have a say in the protection and future growth and development of this iconic coastal paradise. Local authorities have given three options to the erosion and inundation threat that has been facing this coast for decades: ‘do nothing’, ‘managed retreat’ or ‘hard engineering’.
WOW is currently working with the Hastings District Council on a proposal for groynes and low level beach crest protection to prevent further erosion and inundation ahead of a beautification programme. This solution would build up the mass on our beaches, protect homes and public facilities, and restore hope and dignity to this community, all at minimal cost to ratepayers.
Doing nothing is not an option, retreat is defeat, smart engineering will give us at least another 50-years. Our bright hopes for the future could be washed away if we have major storm events this winter, and we could be on the map for all the wrong reasons. Once the sea gets over Beach Rd and Clifton Rd, its all downhill from there!
After being told time and again that we are kidding ourselves and that even gaining resource consent could cost us up to $500,000, we are persisting and believe we can protect this coastal community. Rather than future generations of New Zealanders visiting the Cape Coast and asking ‘what disaster happened here?,’ we want them to keep saying, WOW!”
