Report clears port of blame for beach erosion

After years of controversy, a report has cleared the Port of Napier of causing erosion at popular Westshore beach, the port authority said today.

The port's chief executive Garth Cowie said the report was vindication of the port's position.

"The findings after reviewing more than 80 different reports since the mid 1800s, clearly exonerate the port and dispels many arguments to the contrary."

An international expert on erosion, Paul Komar, was commissioned by Hawke's Bay Regional Council, Napier City Council, and the Port of Napier 12 months ago to provide an independent review of past investigations.

Dr Komar presented evidence and conclusions on a range of coastal issues.

He said that the erosion at Westshore at the time the breakwater was being constructed was most likely associated with major storms at the time.

These storms also caused beach erosion south of the breakwater and flooding in downtown Napier.

He concluded that there was "no firm evidence" that the construction of the Ahuriri moles and then the Port's breakwater blocked a northward longshore transport of beach gravel derived from sediment that was actively bypassing Bluff Hill.

"Instead there is evidence to the contrary.

"Although disagreements may continue regarding this issue, it is ancient history and has largely become irrelevant to the successful management of the Hawke's Bay coast," Dr Komar said in the report.

Mr Cowie said he was pleased that the issue which had cast a cloud over the port was now finally over.

The challenge now for the parties was to use the report in a meaningful and productive way, "a stepping stone", to determining a path forward for managing the coastline, Mr Cowie said.

- NZPA