The ground falling away from a cliff-top apartment block in Clovelly Road. Photo / Richard Robinson
Three more families have been evacuated from their homes in Bucklands Beach, as a cliff face threatens to fall on top of them.
Following a major landslip in East Auckland's Clovelly Rd at the weekend, residents of three properties - including former Manukau City mayor Sir Barry Curtis
- living on the clifftop were evacuated because of dangerous conditions.
The area has since been cordoned off and locals have been warned to stay away.
Yesterday, Manukau City Council ordered the other three families to move out as council's geotechnical advisers warned that when the cliff face does fall, the slip could come close to the three properties.
Manukau City Council economic director Rick Walden acknowledged that it was not a matter of if the cliff face will fall but when, saying that the evacuation of the other residents was a precautionary measure.
"Our primary concern is always for people's safety," Mr Walden said.
Mr Walden said that although safety measures had been placed to keep people away from the area, many had been curious enough to risk being in a dangerous situation - not an intelligent move.
"From our point of view, it's that we keep people safe. We've blocked properties off but we do get people who are curious - some people don't read signs so we've got people on guard too.
"We want to underline this slip carries high risk and we do not know when it will fall, but it could be any time."
Sir Barry, who has lived at his property since 2004, described his experiences during the past few days as "shattering."
He said: "Our future is very much determined on the next several stages. Mother nature is uncontrollable."
