There is a much loved piece of Hawke's Bay history that is under threat from the sea. Like most of our coastline, the Clifton motor camp is being lashed by the full force of Mother Nature.
This iconic Hawke's Bay facility has many fond memories for thousands of locals and visitors alike and the stories from the fishing club are just as legendary. It is sad for me to watch what is a little piece of family New Zealand being washed away. We are looking at all sorts of options as to its future, but none are that easy.
The Land is owned by the Crown (administered by DOC) but the Hastings District Council manages it on the Crown’s behalf. It is a reserve. The Hastings District Council leases it to the Clifton Reserve Society which runs the camp ground. The Marine Club occupy the site under an arrangement with the Reserve Society.
This is a classic case of too many players in the mix. When we get to an issue, such as dealing with erosion, we then also bring the Hawke's Bay Regional Council into the mix.
The long and short of all this, is two things need to be worked out by the parties. Firstly, will any form of erosion control work and can such work get Resource Consent from the Hawke's Bay Regional Council? Secondly, as such work is likely to be very expensive, is it affordable and who should fund this cost?
While all these issues are being grappled with the high winter tides are doing damage. Temporary works are not an option because they require Resource Consent and may be gone in a couple of weeks anyway.
Tonight the Reserve Society will meet to get a full briefing on all the issues involved. If they want the camp to be protected, and if they can come up with a reliable and cost effective way of doing this, I for one would like to see such an option at least taken to the Resource Consent Stage.
The Hastings District Council has no obligation whatsoever to protect a DOC Reserve. DOC does not see it as a high priority either and prefer natural processes to take place anyway.
So before people start saying it should be protected and we should just get on with it. Please understand this complex issue and at the heart of it, it is Government land. The only small argument to support any ratepayer contribution is based on the fact that the area provides enjoyment for many people, including the traditional family holiday. Isn’t that the same argument as to why the Government should fund this work if it is practically feasible?
Those are my thoughts for the week.
I’m Lawrence Yule.
