Media Release
19 March 2009

Kawakawa Bay landslip repair progressing well

More than 33,000 cubic metres of soil has been removed to stabilise Turei Hill at Kawakawa Bay as part of the repair work following last year’s landslip.

Manukau City Council Economic Director Rick Walden says the repair work, which is the biggest of its type in Manukau, is progressing well.

“First the house at the top of the hill was demolished, and the land has been re-contoured. When completed we will have shifted more than 80,000 cubic metres of soil. That’s enough to fill 32 Olympic swimming pools.

“We’re keeping an eye on the weather as the winter months approach but we’ve got experienced contractors on-site and they’re doing a great job keeping to schedule.

“There were concerns from local iwi that the works was encroaching on a burial site. Although no work took place in the area identified as a burial site on plans, iwi were concerned about an area extending beyond this.

“We have since met with local iwi and want to assure everyone that no remedial work is being carried out within this area either. The area remains fenced and this issue isn’t having an affect on the project’s progress.

“We want to make sure sufficient work gets done during this construction season so the five families living at the base of the hill can remain in their homes during the winter months, while the remaining repair works continue,” Mr Walden says.

Construction of a reinforced earth embankment to buttress the toe of the landslip is progressing at the base of the hill.

Bored horizontal drains which will allow better surface water run-off and reduce ground water levels in the hill are also being installed.

ENDS

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