Beaches take a pounding

Dunedin's beaches copped a hammering from the weather in the past week with some mixed results.

• Last pole in groyne washed away

"We have seen some recent erosion further up the dune faces at St Clair, due to high tides, but large swells have also deposited some sand on the beach near the sand sausages, improving beach access," a Dunedin City Council spokesman said.

The coast from St Clair to St Kilda is one of the most exposed urban coastal locations in New Zealand and it is vulnerable to winter storms.

A deep low swept through New Zealand this week and more than 180mm of rain was dumped on Dunedin in seven days.

"City infrastructure held up well during this week's weather event, but we will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days, including at St Clair Beach," the council spokesman said.

A new management plan for the St Clair to St Kilda coast was adopted by the Dunedin City Council in February.

Work is to include an investigation of the old Kettle Park landfill near Middle Beach, improved beach access at St Clair and monitoring of the coast.

The Otago Regional Council is involved in long-term studies of the area.

grant.miller@odt.co.nz