Little Shoal Bay is a favourite bay for local people who use it regularly for picnics, children’s play, informal sports or the start point for a stroll through Le Roys Bush and the largest remaining raupo wetland on the North Shore.
Recent media coverage has highlighted current and potential threats to the bay and the reserve behind from coastal inundation, inadequate sewage infrastructure, commercial through-traffic as well as overloading and pollution from non-self-contained freedom campers.
To discuss these significant issues and to consider potential actions and solutions that could be championed, we recently initiated a local community coalition of around 10 organisations with a direct interest in the Bay, including the Little Shoal Bay Protection Society, Le Roys Bush Management Committee and the Northcote Bowling Club.
Flooding: Little Shoal Bay was originally an estuary surrounded by cliffs with salt marshes in its upper reaches. By 1900, Northcote and Birkenhead Point were linked by a wooden footbridge. Reclamation of the estuary took place progressively from the early 1900s and the tidal waters of the estuary were narrowed down to a stream. Reclamation of the wetlands on the western side of the Bay created the present island in the swamp – these are now recognised as a vital component of the ecology of the area.
However, regular flooding of the sports ground and around the bowling club during king tides has caused major disruption to these activities; it has led to a recent report showing that 15cm of sea level rise has happened in the harbour over the last century and that the problems are likely to get worse.
Through traffic: Little Shoal Bay is a reserve with no legal through road. While there is a bylaw restricting commercial vehicles travelling through the Bay, this is not currently being enforced, leading to road damage from heavy goods traffic driving through.
Freedom camping: The council has issued a proposal suggesting that freedom camping be allowed in the bay with non-self-contained vehicles. While many campers behave responsibly and are welcome, we have major concerns about the capacity of the existing toilet facilities and threats to kauri and the surrounding native bush in nearby Le Roys Bush from those who do not heed notices and warnings. Consultation is expected to take place shortly and we strongly encourage people to have their say.
The coalition is just starting to build a deeper understanding of these issues on the future of Little Shoal Bay and to come up with potential solutions. If you would like to be part of these discussions or if you have information or knowledge to help us in these deliberations, please get in touch by email to info@bra.org.nz
What’s next – beach and coastal cleanup
On Sunday December 2nd, a beach and coastal clean-up will take place at Little Shoal Bay, surrounding beaches and reserves, meeting in Little Shoal Bay next to the Sea Scouts Hall. This annual event is run by the Birkenhead Residents Association, in partnership with the Little Shoal Bay Protection Society and Birkenhead Sea Scouts with support from other groups.
All are welcome to help and join us for a BBQ afterwards. Please check the BRA facebook page or www.bra.org.nz for updates and in case of unfavourable weather conditions.
