NES seeks experts to strengthen coastal protection on Rarotonga and Aitutaki

The National Environment Service (NES) is considering strengthening protections for the Rarotonga and Aotetaki Coast areas to address current and future risks and issues.

The agency hopes to achieve this through the Rarotonga and Aitutaki Coastal Management Feasibility Assessment Project. NES is working to identify a specialist consultant to provide professional guidance and complete a feasibility assessment of the management solution.

NES director Halatoa Fua said the last consultant it hired was based in the Cook Islands to develop a turtle management plan.

When asked what targeted solutions NES hopes to overcome with the latest project, Fua said the main focus will be on analysing coastal processes in Aitutaki, as coastal processes in Rarotonga are already largely understood and reported.

“The risks and concerns facing public and private sector stakeholders relate to: exposure to coastal hazards (current and further climate change); performance of coastal protection projects; and the impacts of coastal protection projects on key values ​​of the coastline (e.g. environmental, recreational and cultural values)”, he explained.

“To identify pragmatic coastal management responses for the entire coastal zone of both islands based on site-specific coastal processes and taking into account site-specific environmental, social and financial constraints.

“Standardized design parameters and conceptual designs for coastal management projects covering all coastal areas, including key design parameters for specific site conditions.”

Fua said another goal is to provide guidance to assist in the assessment of coastal management proposals and their environmental impact assessments. These goals include minimum standards for different types of coastal protection works, including design considerations, construction standards, building materials, and best practice construction procedures; environmental and social safeguards covering construction and post-construction, guidance on environmental impact assessments for coastal management works, and targeted training for government compliance officers.

Guidance is also needed on the licensing of coastal management works within the Cook Islands environmental protection and legal framework, including conditions, responsibilities and any proposed amendments to legislative instruments.

NES issued a notice earlier this week seeking an expert consultant for the project, which aims to provide a solid foundation for smarter coastal zone planning, assessment, implementation and management.

Coastal management feasibility studies are designed to provide comprehensive, actionable guidance based on existing knowledge of coastal processes.

When asked if only overseas consultants would be considered for the project, Fua said “it is an open tender to find the best candidate.”

Foa added that specific assessment areas for Aitutaki and Rarotonga were limited to coastal areas.