St Clair groyne to be discussed in private

Plenty of sand was at St Clair Beach in 1972 when a groyne was operating, Dunedin city councillor...
Plenty of sand was at St Clair Beach in 1972 when a groyne was operating, Dunedin city councillor Jules Radich says. PHOTO: PETER MCDONALD
The possible way forward for reinstating a groyne at St Clair Beach will be discussed behind closed doors at the next Dunedin City Council meeting.

The agenda item would be discussed in the non-public part of tomorrow’s council meeting to maintain professional legal privilege, a spokeswoman for the council said.

It is expected a statement will be made after the meeting.

Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich has been a consistent advocate for reinstating a groyne, which he has argued would trap sand and build up the beach.

The new council voted 11-4 on November 8 to request an urgent report into costs and timeframes of re-establishing a groyne, possibly on a trial basis.

The council said this month it was "aiming" to discuss the report in public.

St Clair Beach has historically featured lines of wooden poles, or groynes, and Mr Radich has argued they were rendered ineffective when allowed to fall into disrepair.

There has been popular support for reinstatement, and from businesses along the Esplanade though experts have doubted its likely effectiveness.

grant.miller@odt.co.nz

 

 

 

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