How long does it take?

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

It has been over five months since Gisborne District Council was first made aware of the non-consented work being carried out by Meng Foon to a section of the Tatapouri foreshore.

During this time the council has undertaken an investigation, apparently without any pending decision — just how long does this process take?

It is unacceptable that no decision from Gisborne District Council has been forthcoming regarding this unconsented seawall, given that it has already been established that the seawall is unconsented and an abatement notice was issued for such work; that fact alone should have necessitated its immediate removal.

It certainly appears on the face of it that being an ex-mayor of Gisborne has its privileges. Had this been any other member of the community, I’m in no doubt that Gisborne District Council would have had the structure removed and that person(s) would be facing a hefty infringement notice.

Now an independent coastal survey (yet more delay) is to take place before Gisborne District Council takes a stand on this issue.

There is no mention what the scope of this survey is, or how long before it will be completed, nor what the council hopes to achieve from this survey.

Upon completion of this survey, will the council allow Meng Foon to finish this seawall in its present form, or will it order the removal of this eyesore?

(At which point Meng Foon would be able to apply for resource consent, should he wish to reinstate the seawall in such a way that not only meets any aesthetic requirements for the environment but also does not adversely affect the environment or neighbouring users of the Tatapouri foreshore in any way.)

In the meantime, the users of the Tatapouri ramp continue to face difficulties during low tide periods to launch and retrieve their boats, due to the unprecedented sand build-up which we all believe to be attributed to the building of this wall.

Craig Miller