Hawera needs to cut its losses the Opunake artificial surf reef is and will be a white elephant. At a resent visit to Tauranga to catch up with family. I asked about their artificial reef at the Mount built by the same company They just laughed saying it is far from what was suggested. It doesn't work and it is breaking up on the ocean floor becoming a environmental hazard. In their mind a complete waste of money that may even ruin the beach itself. They could not understand why we in Taranaki started one before seeing how their one worked first. Saying we wish we had an opportunity to see if yours worked first before starting ours. Instead of being caught up in the hype of being the first. I think we both have been taken in by slick sales talk and marketing. They also didn't understand why we even wanted a artificial surf reef when we had some of the best natural surf beaches in the country just up the road. I had to agree.
It would be a shame if all Mayor Mary Burke is remembered for, is for her involvement and recommendations of support for the artificial reef that failed.
Rusty Kane NZ
