Wednesday Write In: Beach concerns justified

It was an interesting letter (July 14) from 15-year-old Josh Thompson outlining his concerns for his treasured Westshore Surf Club and his plea to have the beach protected and restored to a sandy beach.
Unfortunately, his concerns for the clubhouse are valid and the current NCC [Napier City Council] solution is not protecting the beach or the reserve. The original solid beachhead is progressively eroding and the visible compacted layers are slowly breaking off with each large wave.
This depleting beachhead is the last line of defence and provides the only solid obstruction between the sea and the clubhouse. The old carpark surface and the old tar sealed beach road can be clearly seen just above the high tide mark. The sandy inshore appearing at different stages between swells is skin deep and temporary. This sand is derived from abrasion of imported material and not natural beach replenishment.
Josh is hoping the NCC will explain why the beach has been allowed to erode and why the backshore is allowed to retreat even though annual strengthening started in 1987, nine years before he was born.
Last November (2010), nourishment was reduced by 34 per cent due to increased cost but the amount placed in front of the Surf Club was normal. However, moderate high seas during the summer months removed this stopbank protection requiring a further 1000m3 to be trucked from the Marine Parade in April (2011). A further "Band Aid" top up will be required before Oct/Nov when the next annual placement is due. The timing of nourishment is to make the beach acceptable for tourists as fewer locals are using or able to use the beach. The Humber St pond is proving to be more popular.
In the unlikely event of NCC offering an explanation, we would be very keen to have a copy. I have been trying for two years to get an informed discussion and explanation for the NCC decision to adopt the nourishment programme as the long term solution.
Josh has made an astute observation - "the shingle wall is not working".
Most Westshore residents have confidence in the NCC operation and appear to accept the nourishment remedy is working. The council has approved the recommendation of out-of-town experts to continue with nourishment. They agree the shingle is unstable on the beach but it's available and cheap. It will take a severe storm to confirm Marine Parade shingle is unsuitable and the amount imported is inadequate. It could be too late for Josh's clubhouse, most of the domain, and a few properties but he will have some form of beach, albeit much closer to the road.
Larry Dallimore, Westshore