The Whakatane District Council is looking to reduce ongoing de-silting costs at the Matata Lagoon - Te Awa O Te Atua - and will seek stakeholder feedback before investigating possible future management options.

Following the May 2005 debris flow events in Matatā, the Council undertook works to restore part of the western end of the lagoon, at the community’s request. That included in-stream structures and erosion protection work to stabilise the Awatarariki Stream; installation of silt basins at the entrance to the lagoon; the excavation of debris flow material to reinstate the Western Matata Lagoon; and the disposal of excavated material.

A resource consent granted in 2006, and expiring in 2042, places binding requirements on the ongoing management of the established infrastructure on the Council.

Since 2015, Council and community representatives have expressed concern about the financial burden associated with removing sediment from the basins at the western end of the lagoon, as well as ongoing wetland enhancement work. Council records show that between 2007 and 2016, some $742,000 was spent on de-silting activities.

Reporting to the Council’s Projects and Services Committee last week, Community Services General Manager Mike Naude said investigations are likely to include initial professional engineering and planning advice on the alternative maintenance regimes which might be available.

“Before investigations begin, we will need to discuss the matter with the various stakeholders, in particular the Department of Conservation, Te Tatau Pounamu o Te Awa o Te Atua - The Joint Advisory Committee, local iwi and hapū, the Rangitāiki Community Board, the Matatā Residents Association and the community. This report is a first step towards initiating those discussions,” he said.

Stakeholder feedback on the proposal will guide the development of a more detailed proposal to develop a new master plan for the management of the lagoon, taking into account expert advice covering geology, hydro-geology, flood engineering, landscape design, ecology and biodiversity issues.