PLEA MADE TO COUNTY TO HALT EROSION AT OHOPE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 29, 24 August 1949, Page 4

PLEA MADE TO COUNTY TO HALT EROSION AT OHOPE

A strong plea for something to be done to halt erosion at the western end of Ohope Beach, known as one to 58, was made by the riding member, Cr W. M. Clark, to the Whakatane County Council yesterday. He was opposed by councillors representing ridings on the centre of the Rangitaiki Plains but after an active discussion it was decided that preventive work would have to be done there soon and the chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett, said the Council would be willing to meet Ohope residents in an effort to decide upon some course of definite action.

The history of this area has long been a bone of contention between the County Council and certain residents at Ohope Beach. In the past 20 years the sea has eaten away a huge area on the beach. Some years ago a move was made to have a road dedicated along the land, above the beach but the required number of consent signatures could not be obtained because of the large number of absentee property ownersAlthough there is a road there now it goes over private property and it is contended by some that the County Council has no legal right to spend money on this area.

This is the contention of some councillors from other parts of the county. But it is felt that the Council will have to take over land for a road some day and if money is spent to prevent any further erosion now it might save an even greater expenditure in the future. Serious Problem At present the erosion problem was very serious and the Council should do something to halt it, Mr Burnett declared. The job would be expensive but it might be a way of saving a big expenditure in the future.

The speed with which erosion was taking place w r as causing residents at Ohope much concern, said Cr Clark. Every year Ohope residents paid over £3OO in rates and they were entitled to some work being done in that area. It was one of the highest rated areas in the county. The road was now in a shocking state, cars being bogged in the winter and for three months of the year residents suffered from a bad dust nuisance. What was wanted was the road to be dedicated, he added. Cr D. C. Butler sad he thought something temporary should be done now but the Ohope people should help themselves more.. He had been told that the Ohope people were willing to assist in any scheme Cr W. Hunter remarked. At Ohope the Council had certainly slipped in the past and it was no credit to them, Mr Burnett declared. The people should have a legalised road, kept and maintained. The Council would have to do something about the erosion and soon.

Or L. W. Luxton was not in favour of spending money at Ohope until the Council was fully covered. The erosion in that area had always been a burning question but he was against spending the ratepayers’ money on private land. Although he had seen the extent of the erosion it did not change the fact that the property was privately owned.

Cr .R. C. Leslie agreed with Or Luxton.

Cr Burnett: If the Council does not do something now it may cost it a lot of money in the future.

Further Objection Cr Butler: I agree. We should do something now.

A further objection was raised by Cr Luxton. He did not see why ratepayers in the productive part of the County should have to pay for work done on private property owned by retired or business people at a beach resort.

Cr A. F. McGougan pointed out that even farmers would die if they stayed in their cowsheds all the time. It was necessary for everyone to go to the beach at sometime or another. He thought that some help should be given the Ohope ratepayers.

The discussion terminated here and it was decided that some work would be done after the Works Committee had .inspected the eroding area. At the same time the Council would be willing to meet the Ohope people to discuss any future permanent scheme if they so desired.