6
Mercury Bay
– Cooks Beach
Further major dune reshaping and planting was conducted in 2012
and 2013, with the focus on central eastern areas of the beach where
the dunes are seriously degraded and dominated by exotic vegetation.
The work included spraying of the exotic vegetation, subsequent
earthworks to clear the area and then planting, with the planting work
undertaken by adjacent landowners.
The “whole of frontal dune” restoration approach adopted has worked
extremely well and enjoys strong support from adjacent landowners.
Nearly 6000 fore-dune plants were planted in the restored area in
2013, extending the restoration both eastwards through to the end of
the new seawall and westwards.
In 2014, the focus will be on extending the restored dune further
westward, as well as commencing work on the degraded dunes at the
eastern end of the new seawall.
The work has been undertaken in partnership with TCDC which has
provided strong support, including coverage of the costs associated
with the extensive earthworks.
Mercury Bay
– Whitianga
Major work commenced at Whitianga in 2012. Restoration of the
frontal dune was undertaken over a length of approximately 70 metres
in partnership with TCDC and the local community, with a strong
turnout at the working bee. In 2013, the restoration work continued
over a further 100 metres, with very strong community support.
The restoration work adopted the “whole of frontal dune” approach,
successfully developed at Cooks Beach, and included planning
meetings, spraying, earthworks and planting with several follow-up
inspections to monitor progress and ensure maintenance as required.
More than 12,000 fore-dune species have been successfully planted to
date, with widespread favourable comment.
In 2014, it is planned to extend the dune restoration south, right
through to the new seawall at the southern end of the beach. Back-
dune plantings will also be undertaken along the landward margins of
the earlier restoration to complete the duneland communities in this
area. Limited introduction of rare and threatened species will also be
trialled to enhance biodiversity values.
The outcome from Cooks Beach’s “whole of dune” approach is very impressive.
Native spinach amongst the back-dune plantings at Cooks Beach.
