Coastline issues to be debated at talks

By ANNE GIBSON

Keen interest in coastline development is raising new issues for the property industry, which will host an international conference on the subject here next year.

Stephen Priestley of Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner in Auckland is in charge of the Australasian coasts and ports conference.

He said renewed interest in developing Auckland's waterfront and rising prices for coastal real estate meant some vital issues had to be addressed.

Models for good coastal development, the costs of regulation and compliance when developing coastal properties, the changing needs of ports, issues of conservation and development, assessing the impacts of coastal structures on the natural system and changes in science and technology are topics for discussion.

The theme of the conference is the quest for excellence.

It will be held from September 9 to 12 next year at the Hyatt Hotel in Auckland.

The conference aims to attract engineers, port managers, contractors and developers, planners, scientists, lawyers, coastal specialists, regulators, urban designers, landscape architects and others with an interest in costal development.

The gathering was intended to be a forum for diverse groups interested in the many issues that are important to the industry, Priestley said.

Auckland was an ideal place for the gathering because it was the home of the America's Cup and because of the vibrant redevelopment of the Viaduct Harbour area and the expansion of its operations by the Ports of Auckland.

The Australasian coasts and ports conference has been running for 30 years and is held every second year.

Those involved in the conference include the New Zealand Coastal Society, the New Zealand Institution of Professional Engineers, the Institution of Engineers in Australia, the International Navigation Association and Australia's National Committee on Coastal and Ocean Engineering.

Coasts and Ports 2003 Conference

Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand

The Institution of Engineers Australia

The International Navigation Association