It was fortunate the rescue of surfer Matthew Scott by Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service was not hindered by locked gates and containers.
Video / Givealittle, Michael Cunningham, Elevated Media, Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service
A surf club in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing communities is appealing for public support to fix damage from a major slip.
The Mangawhai slip’s $1.9 million repair work is finished but Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service is now short of money to get back into its clubrooms.
The 560cu m slip, on Kaipara District Council reserve land, occurred days after Mangawhai was inundated by heavy rain during the fatal Auckland Anniversary floods.
The set-up could cause a critical delay during an after-hours rescue, club chairwoman Jess Costello said in an earlier warning.
So great was the concern that lives were at risk, the surf club and Surf Life Saving NZ took on the $1.9m cost of the slip repair, rather than waiting for Kaipara District Council to do the work.
The repair work by Earth Stability included installing rock bolts, galvanised and PVC-coated rockfall mesh, and applying vegetation matting.
This state-of-the-art solution will encourage regrowth while preventing further erosion of the rock face, Baker said.
Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Lifeguard Service's clubrooms (bottom left) were hit by the major slip, which is now repaired. The club needs $120,000 to enable the move back into its clubrooms. Photo / Andy Bruce
The repair work is now complete, aside from some replanting, he said.
This means work can start on the clubrooms, which have been exposed to the elements for more than two years because the site was too dangerous to enter, Baker said.
“The building has been open to the elements for that period time – there’s a lot of water damage to the building.”
The clubrooms are insured but the surf club faces a shortfall of about $120,000, to cover things like damaged furniture and chattels, he said.
The club is appealing for public help for the first time, for donations and fundraisers to cover the funding gap.
The $1.9 million slip repair by Earth Stability required great skill to secure the rock face and prevent further slips, says surf club spokesman Tony Baker. Photo / Andy Bruce
“It’s been a very stressful time for the club. We’ve been trying to secure our space and also trying to evolve as a club, and recruit new members, and make sure we have capacity for the future, as Mangawhai is growing at a great rate.
“The sooner we get back into the clubhouse, the better.”
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
