The council faces major problems along about 100km of coastline because of erosion by the sea.
Recent damage has included the loss of part of a joinery company's building in Oamaru, continuing damage to Oamaru Harbour structures, damage to a building on the Oamaru foreshore and to the coastal road between Oamaru and Waianakarua.
The council has temporarily closed 1.2km of Beach Rd because erosion has made it dangerous and appointed a subcommittee to look at options to resolve the problems.
Options for that section of road could cost ratepayers between $82,500 and $610,500.
Submissions are being called on the department's review of the coastal policy statement, and Mr Ross wants the council to be involved. The coastal policy statement appeared to be silent on the issue of coastal erosion, which concerned Mr Ross.
‘‘Coastal erosion is clearly a matter of considerable concern for us in the Waitaki,'' he said.
That message should be included in the coastal policy statement, he said.
He was also critical that district and regional councils would be required to implement any major changes the new policy introduced.
All councils would have to introduce changes to their district plans, which would incur considerable costs.
Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton said coastal erosion was an ongoing concern and had to become a major focus for the Government.
