Operative Waikato Regional Policy Statement (October 2000)

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3  Significant Resource Management Issues, Objectives, Policies and Methods

3.5  Coast

3.5.3 East Coast¹

The coastal environment from Kaiaua to Thames is dominated by a large area of inter-tidal wetlands and an area of low-lying mangroves. It has been listed as a wetland of international significance under the Ramsar Convention

The western coastline of the Coromandel Peninsula consists of a narrow rocky coastal fringe, interspersed with occasional coastal deltas and associated settlements. It is backed by steep hills of remnant coastal vegetation and farmland. Mussel and oyster farms are situated in and around the Coromandel, Te Kouma and Manaia Harbours. These harbours and their associated islands retain some remnant tracts of coastal forest, together with areas of wetland and mangrove. The area around Cape Colville is relatively undeveloped and remnant coastal vegetation extends a considerable distance inland.

The eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula supports important coastal vegetation communities. It is dominated by a series of sandy beaches and bays with estuarine systems fed by major river valleys. These are interspersed by rocky headlands and steep hills, many supporting endemic forest species. Although a few estuaries have remained in a significantly unmodified state, much of the original estuarine marginal vegetation has been modified by roading, reclamation, pastoral farming practices and urban settlement. The estuarine systems are highly valued as habitats for birds and juvenile fish.

The natural character of the beaches has been severely modified by human use and development over the last 50 to 100 years. Some beaches, such as Otama and Waikawau, are now substantially in public ownership and provide an opportunity to restore natural vegetation sequences and other values which have largely been lost.

This part of the peninsula is a recreational and tourist destination of national significance and a number of beach resorts have developed along the coast. High use, rapid development and subdivision over the last 30 years has encroached on the shoreline, significantly affecting natural and amenity values. Over the summer, Whangamata and the Whitianga-Cooks Beach area experience an eight-fold population increase. For the Tairua-Pauanui area, the population increases to over 10 times its usual resident population. There is pressure for further subdivision and development in the coastal area of the Coromandel Peninsula.

These peak visitor numbers put tremendous pressure on water supply, sewage disposal and recreational facilities. Sewage disposal is a problem in coastal settlements where older style septic tanks are predominant². There is a lack of knowledge about the current coastal water quality of the Waikato Region. Any decline in coastal water quality can reduce its life supporting capacity, and result in decreased cultural, recreational and commercial value.

In many areas, natural dune systems have been highly modified and there is significant potential for coastal hazard problems. This is already evident in some areas (e.g. Cooks Beach and Buffalo Beach). Flooding of coastal settlements is the main natural hazard associated with the Coromandel Peninsula.

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Footnotes

1. Environment Waikato, Coromandel Strategy (Internal Draft), July 1992.
2. Environment Waikato, Changes to Environment Waikato’s Transitional Regional Plan: On-site Sewage, operative from 11 July, 1994.