‘Extreme risk’ identified at Hangaroa Bluffs

This graphic from LDE Ltd highlights the risk areas on the Hangaroa Bluffs, above the Tiniroto Road, after successive weather events. Image supplied

Geotech engineers have confirmed subsidence-damaged sites on Tiniroto Road and in Waihau Road remain at extreme risk.

The report to Gisborne District Council on damage on Tiniroto Road at the Hangaroa Bluffs confirm all three bluffs present “imminent and extreme risk to road users”.

The council said in a statement yesterday the engineers had been on site and using a drone, they inspected the bluffs between the 35-37km mark following the heavy rain in June when a tension crack was identified during a helicopter fly over.

“They conclude that the bare rock face is likely to offer little resistance to falling material, which can be expected to reach high velocities by the time road level is reached.

“Extreme injury or death is a probable consequence should road users be impacted by falling material,” the report states.

“Given the unpredictable nature of the hazards identified, concrete barriers have been installed at either end to close it to all traffic,” the council said yesterday.

“The road closure will remain in place until staff assess other options.

“This is not an easy, quick fix.

“This means for access , Hangaora and Tiniroto residents are using the Parikanapa Road bypass.”

Parikanapa Road will be for 4WD vehicles only.

Heavy trucks need to contact the GDC Journeys team for access. Light or 2WD vehicles need to drive to Wairoa and then on to the state highway back to Gisborne.

“Ongoing monitoring of both sites still shows movement.

“At the Hangaroa Bluffs there’s evidence of progression of cracking on all three bluffs and fresh boulders have fallen.”

In Waihau Road to the beach settlement, a major landslide washed out part of the road at the 4km mark.

Geotech engineers also inspected the site where five metres of the road has been lost.

“This section of road will remain closed for some time as there’s rockfall and a significant risk of further movement of the landslide,” the council said in its statement yesterday.

“There’s no viable solution to stabilise the 110m wide landslide.

“Staff are now looking at alternative options including a significant road realignment. But this will take some time to work through.

“So that definitely means summer camping at Waihau Beach is off the cards, at least for this summer.”

For more information and to read the geotech reports on the GDC website go to www.gdc.govt.nz/services/tairawhiti-road-to-recovery/flood-damaged-road-network