Dr Willem De Lange - Update Report for Mediation

Abstract

1 The Te Puru Group, involving 5 properties at the southern end of the Te Puru fan-delta, agreed to engage in ‘without prejudice’ discussions with Council. 2 I have previously prepared evidence for the Te Puru Group relating to the nature of the coastal hazards affecting their properties and the location of the CEL. A key finding was that the Te Puru fan-delta (an alluvial fan that is prograding into a water body) is an accretionary landform that is continuing to accrete, primarily in response to episodic events (debris flows). In my opinion, accretion is likely to continue in the future. 3 The Te Puru Group have provided me with a letter to the TCDC, dated 15 September 2016 and marked Without Predjudice, which is attached as Appendix A. I have read this letter, which outlines a number of suggestions to allow specified activities seaward of the CEL by affected landowners. 4 Subsequent to the hearing, additional data have become available on the evolution of the fan-deltas of the Western Coromandel, including Te Puru. This document summarises the additional data and discusses the implications for the potential shoreline changes at the southern end of Te Puru fan-delta pertinent to the suggestions made in the letter.