Three-quarters of the Canterbury coastline is retreating due to erosion, threatening homes and roads and prompting rules banning coastal development.
Tuesday, August 23rd 2005, 7:46AM
by The Landlord
The risk of erosion, tsunamis and sea inundation has led Environment Canterbury (ECan) to draw up hazard zones where building is banned and natural features such as sand dunes must be protected.
The zones, which form part of the region's Coastal Plan, have been formally signed off by the Conservation Minister Chris Carter after several years of consultation, hearings and redrafting.
They are intended to give prospective developers, local people and councils clarity before starting an expensive coastal development or dream home.
The two coast-length hazard zones are areas that ECan believes are vulnerable to erosion, tsunami or sea inundation within the next 50 years and also the next 100 years.
The highest-risk zone includes the tip and seaward side of New Brighton Spit, coastal Kaikoura touching on State Highway 1 and coast near Timaru's port, among other areas.
