Heartbreaking moves for Omokoroa slip victims

McDonnell St resident Lesley Robinson is preparing to moving from her home. Photo/George Novak.

Omokoroa residents are bracing themselves for more heartache as heavy rain is set to increase existing major slips, with at least four households having already evacuated.

Lesley Robinson, 82, was almost in tears as she stood on the deck of her McDonnell St home looking at what she described was the" yawning abyss" that once was her beautiful back yard.

Mrs Robinson was packing up her and daughter Naomi Kingsland's belongings yesterday plus their three cats, and moving to Katikati after a 30-35m slip in her back yard.

The owner of the neighbouring property moved out last week after a massive section of his back yard also slipped into the harbour.

John Cufflin who lives in Kowhai Grove, Omokoroa standing at the edge of major slip which took out part of his backyard.

Mrs Robinson said she had stayed with her son in Whakamarama the past few days and her daughter had reluctantly flown to Melbourne to visit her new grandchild

"But there has been quite a bit of movement since the original slip and council engineer Peter Clark who has visited almost every day told me that it was wise to move elsewhere. "

Mrs Robinson said having to move was "earth-shatteringly sad".

"Three years ago when Naomi and I walked in the front door with the real estate agent we knew immediately this was the house for us. It was a dream come true particularly the fantastic view, and we have loved living here."

Kowhai Grove couple Jody Sawyers and her partner Rhys Bradford were also packing to move to the motel when the Bay of Plenty Times visited their home yesterday.

Ms Sawyers said she awoke on Friday morning to the shocking sight of a gaping hole in their back section.

An estimated 5000cu m of soil slipped away and there has been more movement since, she said.

"Our large viewing platform and steps which used to zig-zag down to the beach have also all gone and are now about 20m down on top of massive pile of mud."

Ms Sawyers said geotechnical engineers visited the property again yesterday.

"They have advised us to leave because they fear the living area of the house would be under threat if there were more slips," she said.

Ms Sawyers said the engineers told her they do not yet fully understand the slips, and would need to undertake an intensive examination.

"Our loss adjusters have told us it could take six months to get the final report."

The occupants of a Beach Grove property who had to evacuate after a massive slip took out a 20m of the hillside and are yet to return, declined to comment.

Their neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said they had packed up a few things so they were ready to evacuate if the slip intensified.

Frank Begley, Western Bay of Plenty District Council spokesman, said: "We are really concerned. The ground is very saturated and with more rain coming, there's the possibility of more slips or added slips to the ones that are already existing.

"That's why we've done a letter drop and have been messaging people to be prepared."