As a period of unsettled weather looms, the Dunedin City Council will start sand-bagging the beach in front of Kettle Park in a bid to prevent further dune erosion.
Niwa National Climate Centre scientists say the weather in September and at least at the start of October is forecast to be "particularly unsettled, along with an elevated risk of sharp cold snaps''.
Niwa also forecast more southwest quarter winds than normal, although periodic easterly quarter winds were also probable.
Dunedin City Council infrastructure services general manager Simon Drew said the council was closely monitoring coastal erosion in front of Kettle Park and found there had been "moderate erosion'' in recent weeks.
There was still a "buffer'' between the beach and landfill material under Kettle Park, but if the weather caused heavy wave activity in the area, the buffer could be further eroded.
"With a period of unsettled weather looming, around 100 sandbags will be placed along a 50m stretch in front of Moana Rua Rd from [today], to prevent sand washing away from the dunes and reduce the erosion of the capping material.
"The bags will likely be in place for a few months.''
Mr Drew asked residents not to climb on the bags or walk in the area above the sandbags because it might affect the integrity of the barrier and the dune.
"It also poses a safety risk to individuals.
The beach would be closed from the St Clair tennis courts to Moana Rua Rd from today, for a couple of days, while contractors fill and place sandbags, he said.
"We'll continue to monitor the area closely and will re-evaluate and take further action if things change.
The council was working with experts to identify the most appropriate way to manage the area from St Clair to St Kilda in the long term, he said.
"We'll be involving the community in this process from later this year.''
