More Rocks to be Removed from Mouth of Waitara River

Four more hazardous rocks will be removed from the mouth of the Waitara River this Monday (5 September), conditions permitting.

Explosives will be used to clear away the rocks which pose a hazard to boaties when they are hidden from view just below the water at mid-tide.

“The work will take place at high tide for safety reasons, as the water will suppress the effect of the explosions – just as it did during the removal of one rock in December last year,” says Acting Manager Parks Stuart Robertson.

“We’ve scheduled the demolition to be done on Monday around 3.30pm, but it depends on the weather and the condition of the river and the sea.”

The four rocks were originally part of the river mouth wall, but had been washed into the river’s channel by powerful currents.

Road closures will be in place on both sides of the river to keep the public away as a safety precaution.

“If people want to they can watch from riverside spots further up the river but, just as with last time, there probably won’t be much for people to see,” says Mr Robertson.