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Coastal Erosion Management of the Kapiti Coast Beach Environment

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Coastal Erosion Management of the Kapiti Coast Beach Environment
Sam Ziaja | Geography 3.6 | ‘Analyse a contemporary geographic issue and evaluate course of action’ | | | Coastal erosion management of the Kapiti Coast Beach Environment |

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Current Situation
The Kapiti Coast lies at around 41°S 175°NAddress:, North to South the Kapiti Coast goes from Peka Peka at Te Hapua Road towards Paekakariki to just at the beginning of the Centennial Highway. And from west to east from the western edge of Kapiti Island to Reikorangi in the Tararua foothills. This is around 50km north of the capital Wellington.
Along this coastline wave and aeolian action is causing coastal erosion, prominently from Paekakariki to the Waikanae River mouth. The Kapiti Coast District Council (KCDC) and independent groups have put in measures to stop this erosion. The measures include, Vegetation planting, seawalls, rock revetment, dune restoration and beach re-nourishment.
Below is a diagram showing areas on the Kapiti Coast where measures have been taken out. (Fig. #1)
Currently the recent dune restoration along Paraparaumu Beach is doing great, however the seawall along Raumati to Raumati South’s coast line is failing and rock revetment that has been out in place to improve the seawall’s performance is failing too.

-Kena Kena Beach -Seawall al Raumati South

Fig. #1

Views
Support Coastal Erosion Management-

Kapiti Coast District Council:
The Kapiti Coast District Council (KCDC) supports coastal erosion management as it is a “public reserve under the control of the Wellington Regional Council from Mean High Water Spring Tide Mark seaward”(1). The KCDC has put in measures to protect the beach from eroding; these include a seawall in Raumati South which stretches from Marine Gardens to Queen Elizabeth Park. This was installed in 1977(2) after the September 1976 storm which created highly destructive waves in which the Raumati South coastline was severely eroded. This seawall absorbs and deflects the wave’s energy


Bibliography: (6) “A guide to managing coastal erosion in beach/dune systems” (2000) Scottish Natural Heritage (7)Prices from http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/coastal_management.htm - 01/04/12 * Dr. Rodger Shad’s Report ‘Marine Parade Revetment erosion update and management programme’ August, 2010.
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