Community consultation on draft coastal resilience strategy

Published on 11 August 2026

Sites along 70 kilometres of Waitaki’s coastline are the focus of the Waitaki District draft Coastal Hazards and Resilience Strategy.

In 2024 a BECA Ltd report studied coastal hazards in Waitaki and, working alongside stakeholder agencies and organisations, identified 12 high-risk coastal sites.

These 12 sites have assets of significant community value, including road, rail, and public infrastructure such as the Oamaru Wastewater Treatment Plant.The strategy identifies a desired approach for each, and will be used to make pro-active decisions over investment, management and replacement over the long-term, rather than making reactive decisions when problems happen.

Drop-in sessions and consultation will give the community the opportunity to ask questions and offer their thoughts and feedback.

The full draft Coastal Hazards and Resileince Strategy, the Statement of Proposal and supporting information will be available at Council HQ, the Oamaru and Waihemo Service Centre, and online at letstalk.waitaki.govt.nz.

The consultation opened at 9am on Tuesday 11 August and submissions can be made online at the Let’s Talk site, by email to consult@waitaki.govt.nz, or be posted to Waitaki District Council, 20 Thames Street, Oamaru, Waitaki.

Consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 11 September 2026.

Council will then hold hearings for those who wish to speak to their submissions, before a final strategy is adopted later this year.

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz