A closed gate at the end of Awamoa Central Rd, near Beach Rd, had a gate-chain removed and gates were left wide open, allowing access to the closed Beach Rd, where a giant hole in the ground exists.
The discovery was made by a nearby local resident on Saturday.
"This sort of of vandalism was irritating and costs the ratepayer money," Waitaki District Council’s network manager Erik van der Spek said.
"Anyone with information should contact the NZ Police, and [the] council would be happy to take action against the vandals," he said.
Oamaru Police Sergeant Stuart Dowling said the police were investigating the incident further.
"There are serious risks involved with people gaining access to this closed area, especially tourists who may not be aware of the dangers associated with travelling there," Sgt Dowling said.
Mr van der Spek said the council’s work to signpost and the local interest regarding the Beach Rd closures had raised awareness.
"We believe the road closed signs along Awamoa Rd, the gates, the two large holes in the road and the media covering this issue extensively would have been enough," he said.
The hole is one of two massive gorges that exist along the road after Waitaki District Council’s Project Reclaim, to remove 19,000tonnes of old rubbish.
Beach Rd remains closed for the foreseeable future following the project, which took place from August to November last year.
Future options for the road were presented to the public last week under the 2025-34 Long Term Plan.
They included a "preferred" option to abandon it, due to significant long-term costs including an estimated cost of $353,000 to close Beach Rd between the golf course and Awamoa Road and to permanently realign the Awamoa Rd intersection, with coastal rock armouring for that, at an estimated $3.84million over 30 years.
