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The future of one of Whangaparāoa’s storm-damaged beach accessways remains uncertain, with Auckland Council weighing up whether to replace the eastern staircase at Pacific Parade Coastal Reserve or permanently decommission it.
The reserve has two staircases providing beach access, but both remain closed following slips and ground instability.
In April, council area operations manager Sandra May said the eastern staircase was failing as a result of slips associated with the 2023 storms. At that stage, council was investigating reinstatement at the existing site, creating alternative access nearby, or decommissioning the stairs.
Those options, together with high-level cost estimates, have now been presented to Hibiscus and Bays Local Board members at a workshop.
May says each option comes with significant challenges and risks because of the coastal environment. Board members have requested further investigation, including more detailed costs and advice on cliff setbacks and signage.
Decommissioning of the existing damaged structures has already been approved, but no decision has been made on whether replacement access will be provided. A council business report will return to the local board seeking a formal decision.
The western staircase presents a different problem. Although renewed in March 2022 and undamaged by the adjacent slip, it has remained closed because of concern about further ground movement.
In April, the council was advised that the surrounding ground remained unstable. May says that council will undertake additional assessments before the start of summer with subject matter experts, including arborists and geotechnical engineers, to evaluate the risk of further ground movement and determine whether it is safe to reopen the access to the public.
The problems reflect a wider challenge identified in council’s 2022 Whangaparāoa Shoreline Adaptation Plan, which notes the peninsula’s vulnerability to coastal erosion and instability. The plan recommends assessing the wider network of coastal access points before renewing individual stairways, balancing continued public access against escalating coastal risks.
