News

More Protective Action for Surfbreaks by Taranaki Regional Council

27 Mar 09

Following the formal passing of the Taranaki regional plan on February 24th 2008 which granted protection [ which included swell corridors] from inappropriate development, the TRC has commenced work on updating the TARANAKI COASTAL PROTECTION STATEMENT.

Kumara Patch, Taranaki - © Daisy Day Surf Photography

© Daisy Day Surf Photography

This involves creating more details in the policy that will allow the TRC staff to better identify those surfbreaks -by creating;
1 - a detailed database of each break located by GPS.
2 - Defining "swell corridors".
3 - Working with local surfers and an oceanographer to formally identify the swell corridors.
4 - setting up consultation with landowner and Iwi to ensure low-impact access is available to the surfbreaks.

This will take some time but is another step along the way and certainly timely as the Electricity Efficiency and Conservation Authority [who continues to ignore our contact efforts] are dead set on creating large electricity generating wave farms off the taranaki coast.