It was voted by Councillors that Council officers would further investigate any reasonably practicable options around access to Amberley Golf Club and related areas and seek the views of Amberley Beach residents, in a decision made Tuesday 30 September at the Hurunui District Council Meeting.

Plans for a proposed extension to Grierson Avenue go back to 2022, when a way to mitigate the effects of high tides, large waves and storms was sought. These weather and tidal events periodically affect access to Amberley Golf Club, Waimaiaia 899 Reserve, the Waipara River Mouth and the Northern Beach via Golf Links Road.

As part of the investigation, further engagement with the Amberley Beach community will be required so the Council is in a better informed position to make a decision. This engagement with the Amberley Beach community is contemplated in the Amberley Beach Coastal Adaptation Plan, which was agreed with the Amberley Beach community and adopted by the Council in 2023.

The estimated total cost of constructing the Grierson Avenue extension including land purchases and legal costs is $1.4 million. No decision has been made on how this could be funded if the construction was to be approved.

Mayor Black commented on the decision, “We understand what a tremendous asset this will be for our community. A significant amount of time and effort has been invested in this process already, and there’s just a small amount of work to do to achieve an enduring result.”

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