Pilot Bay to partially close as sand replenished

A section of Pilot Bay will be closed next week as 500 cubic metres of sand is poured on the beach.

Salisbury Wharf to the waka ama shed on Pilot Bay will be fenced off for public safety from November 13-15 as large trucks and machines work on the area during the day.
Some car parking at the Salisbury Wharf end will also be unavailable.

Tauranga City Council parks and reserves team leader Warren Aitken said Pilot Bay was vulnerable to erosion because it was a very busy area exposed to wind and water.

"It is important we replenish it to make sure it is safe and accessible for boaties and beach-goers," he said.

Mr Aitken advised people to avoid the area during work hours, or to take the family up to the Mauao end of Pilot Bay.

Port of Tauranga will supply the 500 cubic metres of sand for the replenishment.

Port of Tauranga regularly supplies sand, which was a byproduct of maintaining local shipping channels, for beach replenishment and road construction.

Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns said recycling the sand was one way the port could support local environmental projects.

"The sand supply ensures our beaches remain attractive for residents and visitors, including the passengers from cruise ships that dock right next to Pilot Bay," he said.

Tauranga City Council monitored the profile of the beach regularly and aimed to complete this kind of rejuvenation more often in future.