Well, out Taieri Mouth way there are now the hexagons.
The Dunedin City Council said in a statement yesterday it was harnessing the power of the hexagon to repair a small section of Taieri Mouth Rd and protect the adjacent beach.
Tried and tested in North Island coastal and river erosion situations, the New Zealand-made, hexagonal, fibre-reinforced concrete modules were being used by the council for the first time for erosion control.
They will be used on the seaward side of Taieri Mouth Rd about 1km northeast of the intersection with Dicksons Rd.
A short section of the road is down to one lane after being damaged in the October 2024 rain event. The modules will act as physical barriers to beach erosion, protection for the road and as containers that support ecological habitats, with plantings of native species planned.
Council transport capital delivery team leader Kieran Trainor said the natural sand dunes next to Taieri Mouth Rd faced continual erosion, especially during strong swells.
"We are keenly aware of the need to adopt updated engineering solutions for road dropouts and slips adjacent to coastal areas. Instead of using a typical rock buttress approach to reinstate the road, we have decided to use the modules, laid to reinstate the two-way road, the road shoulder and support the adjacent dunes.
"The modules are more expensive than a rock buttress, but they are more cost-effective because they will last longer, with the added benefit of supporting plantings."
The $450,000 project was due to take place between October and mid-December.
Preparing the site for the modules and their installation will cost about $400,000, with the balance used for culvert repair. — Allied Media
