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Auckland Council has closed access to staircases at Pacific Parade Coastal Reserve leading to Army Bay due to ongoing instability following slips first caused by the 2023 storms. (Hibiscus Matters, Feb 23)
Council’s Hibiscus and Bays, Upper Harbour area operations manager Sandra May says the reserve has two staircases that provide beach access, and both are affected by safety concerns, with the track leading to the staircases also in poor condition and closed to the public.
“The eastern staircase is failing due to slips caused by the 2023 storm. Council has investigated options to either decommission the stairs or reinstatement at the same site with significant investment or an alternative access within the vicinity,” she says.
A final decision will be made by Hibiscus and Bays Local Board once those options have been fully explored.
The western staircase, which was renewed in March 2022, remains structurally sound, and wasn’t damaged by the adjacent slip, May advised. However, it has also been closed as a precaution while Council assesses the risk of further ground movement. A section of the Pacific Parade walkway above the slip is also closed, with pedestrians directed to detour via the road.
May says geotechnical specialists and arborists have assessed the area and found there is still a risk of further movement.
“Due to possible ground movement and general instability of the site, the area will remain closed for the next six months to ensure public safety.”
Council expects the staircases to remain closed over winter while monitoring continues.
“Once ground has settled and the areas above the slip are deemed stable enough, we will reassess and undertake planting to help future stability,” May says.
Council arborists will continue to monitor trees near the slip, and the staircase will remain closed until further notice. May says they aren’t aware of additional significant slips following recent bad weather.
