Moncks Cave to close due to rockfall risk

Temporary fencing that was put in place to stop people from getting into Moncks Cave will now become permanent. Photo / Geoff Sloan

Moncks Cave in Redcliffs will be fenced off due to rockfall risk.

At a meeting last week city council staff presented a geo-tech hazard report and landscaping plan to members of the community about the cave and surrounding reserve.

The cave and land in Moncks Cave Reserve on the corner of Main Rd and Cave Tce in Redcliffs has been closed off from the public since the February 22, 2011, earthquake, due to risk of collapse or rockfall. Over that time the reserve has become overgrown with its future uncertain.

At the meeting between city council staff and members of the Redcliffs community, Redcliffs Residents' Association secretary Pat McIntosh said city council staff presented a plan to tidy up the reserve and fence off the cave due to the risk of rockfall.

Dr McIntosh said she was glad the city council hosted the evening to discuss the future of the cave and reserve with members of the community.

"It was a useful session and good for them to bring that information to the public," Dr McIntosh said.

Moncks Cave is of cultural significance on account of the collection of taonga (treasure) Maori discovered there in 1889.

The city council plans to tidy up the area by removing the current fencing to open the reserve and footpath back to the public once the area has been cleared of weeds and landscaped.

City council plans to fence off the entry to the cave to protect the public. Dr McIntosh said it was clear it needed to be fenced off for safety reasons and others at the meeting were happy with the outcome.

Dr McIntosh said what the city council planned "will be a big improvement" on the current look of the area.

- Bay Harbour News