Work to repair Second Beach track begins

A Dunedin City Council contractor erects a temporary screen fence at Second Beach, St Clair, in preparation for the removal of a slip. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
A Dunedin City Council contractor erects a temporary screen fence at Second Beach, St Clair, in preparation for the removal of a slip. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
Dunedin City Council contractors have begun clearing slips which have closed Second Beach to the public for the past 18 months.

The popular walking track to the beach was damaged after heavy rain in July 2017 caused several slips and undermined the strength of the walkway.

The council decided to repair the track following numerous calls for it to be reopened to the public.

A geotechnical investigation was completed last year and a design for the track was proposed.

Affected neighbouring property owners were notified and resource consent for the work has been granted.

DCC parks and recreation group manager Robert West said repairs began this week and it was expected to cost about $400,000.

The repair project would be complicated because track access was limited.

A large slip near the track entrance needed to be cleared and stabilised so heavy machinery required for the work could safely access the track.

The repairs were expected to be complete by the end of March.

The area has a history of instability. It had been closed for several months in 2016-17 when cracks appeared along a 35m section of the track and parts began to slump.

It was found the slumping was due to rainwater softening the soil and wave action undermining the hillside.

Track access was restricted in November 2016 but it was reopened to the public in February 2017 after repairs were made.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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