Dredging work has begun on the eastern and northeastern training walls at the Whakatane River entrance and is likely to cause some disruption for reserve users at the Whakatane Heads over the next few weeks.
This work is being undertaken by local lead contractor R Mahy Contracting Ltd in conjunction with Robinson Earthmovers 2008 Ltd.
The work is being undertaken to address safety concerns resulting from the unusually shallow channel at the river entrance and bar. Low winter and spring rainfall and reduced river flows have meant the typical 'flushing' of sand from the channel has not occurred this year and discing and bucket dredging operations have been under way since September to prevent the situation getting worse.
Following discussions with commercial operators and recreational boating groups, the Whakatane District Council has adopted a two-pronged approach to deepen the channel and maintain it in a workable state over the summer peak use period. The top of the training wall will be prepared for long-reach excavator access, with dredging operations to follow. Sediment removed from the channel will be stockpiled on the adjacent reserve and removed before Christmas, as soon as the operation concludes. Boat-based sand discing, jetting and bucket dredging will continue on outgoing tides to extend the channel beyond the excavator's reach.
Regular monitoring of the channel will assess the effectiveness of the dredging operation and direct resources to any areas of concern. While the operation is under way, areas of the reserve at the Heads will be cordoned-off. The council apologises for any inconvenience and asks reserve users to stay away from the training wall area until further notice.
