Walkway closed for own safety

A large slip at Omokoroa, this time on the south western side of the Gerald Crapp Historic Reserve, sent metres of earth and debris into the sea.

The slip is estimated to be 3m in depth and 20 to 30m across.

Earlier slips at Bramley Drive and Raumoana Place on the north facing side of the peninsula saw Western Bay of Plenty District Council close a section of the Omokoroa Esplanade walkway from the entrance at Bramley Drive to 25 Raumoana Place.

It will remain closed until further notice.

Peter Clark, council's procurement and projects manager says the walkway will open once council is more confident that it is safe to reopen.

"We are monitoring the situation in association with consultants Tonkin and Taylor and local residents. If no movement occurs, and the rain frequency and intensity reduces or stops, it is likely that the walkway should be safe to reopen in early summer.''

Mr Clark says council would appreciate walkers complying with the safety barrier fencing which is in place.

"Please do not jump over the fence, go round it, or push it into the ground. Please stay safe, stay away.

``Perhaps the message could be: Geotechnical experts do not consider this part of the walkway to be safe at the moment, so why do you jump the fence?.''

At Omokoroa's recent Future Focus meeting residents living close to the slipping cliff faces pleaded with council to do more to help stop further erosion and to save their properties.

At the meeting Western Bay mayor Ross Paterson pledged council would do all in its power to find a solution long term.

Council's next plan is to build seawalls to prevent wave erosion at the cliff base. This work is likely to start in this financial year.