Kawakawa Bay slip update: public meeting tonight

A public meeting is being held at Kawakawa Bay tonight at 7.30pm to update the community on a major slip.

The potential danger of further big slips at Turei Hill the road just north of Kawakawa Bay is closed until at least Friday. Residents should stay away from the slip area because another slip could happen at any time.

The meeting tonight at Kawakawa Bay Community Hall will update the community on the slip and its likely impact.

The closure of Kawakawa-Clevedon Road will be reviewed again on Friday to see if it is safe for traffic to use. The closure means people living in the area will need to continue using a longer alternative route via Kaiaua and State Highway Two and One.

There is high potential for another major slip to come down onto the road so the risk to public safety is too great for the road to open. Because of the danger the council has also asked contractors to stop working in the area clearing debris from the road.

The equivalent of 50 truckloads, about 500 cubic metres of earth, came down onto the road on Sunday. There is the potential for thousands of cubic metres to come down at any time, which is why the road has been closed.

People driving to the Kawakawa Bay and Orere Point area should use the following alternative routes. Drivers should take care when using them.

State Highway 1 - State Highway 2 – East Coast Road via Kaiaua. From Clevedon: Monument Rd -Sky High Rd - Hunua Rd - Paparimu Rd – State Highway 2 – East Coast Road via Kaiaua.

Electronic message signs with updates and detour signs are up along roads in the area. There will be regular updates through the council call centre (phone 262 5104) and at www.manukau.govt.nz