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A popular east Auckland pedestrian walkway is at threat of being cut off should the large amount of dirt and greenery above it suddenly move south.
Bucklands Beach resident Catherine McInally has contacted the Howick Local Board and Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown’s office to ask for action to be taken to protect the Half Moon Bay Walkway from landslides due to erosion.
The walkaway is adjacent to the boatyard at Half Moon Bay Marina and is used by people to get between the marina and Bucklands Beach.
“It gives everybody so much joy but over the last 12 to 18 months it’s quite disturbing to think we might lose it,” McInally says.
“I know a couple in their 80s who walk from the far end of Bucklands all this way to have a coffee, have a rest, and walk home again, as it’s all flat.”
The problem she’s raising relates to dirt and greenery on the cliff directly above the walkway sliding down toward it.
Some of the foliage appears to be dead or dying and there have been slips in the past.
The roots of several large trees on the cliff are exposed, raising questions about their stability, and numerous large branches have fallen off the trees and are heading toward the walkway.
Auckland Council has erected a fence to try to prevent debris from falling onto the walkway, but the fence is bulging from the weight and pressure pushing against it.
“I thought, ‘I can’t keep walking past this’,” McInally says.
“It’s going to go. Just wait for another downpour. It’s an essential access to the area as everybody uses it.
“On the weekend there’s continual traffic of people walking through here.”
Howick Local Board chairperson Damian Light replied to McInally’s email to say he’d received an initial response to her query.
He said, as she’d noted, there are “some land instability concerns with this area and there is a project under way to ensure the pathway remains open”.
“The project team are working through the details and I’ll provide you an update once we know more.
“However, in short, there are no plans to close this valuable connection.”
The Times asked the council what action, if any, is being taken to address issues relating to the walkway.
Marcel Morgan, manager area operations Howick and Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, says: “Auckland Council is aware of concerns about erosion on the slope above the section of walkway adjacent to the boatyard at Half Moon Bay Marina.
“Council staff regularly inspect our track network, including this walkway, to identify and assess potential risks.
“As well, council geotechnical specialists have been specifically monitoring this site since 2017.
“The temporary safety fencing in place has been installed by council contractors to manage debris and ensure public safety around the section of the timber retaining wall that is failing.
“This wall was originally built to protect the walkway from falling debris, not to stabilise the entire slope above it.”
Morgan says the council’s geotechnical specialists advise the slips that have occurred are “superficial” and any future slips are expected to be similar.
“Fully stabilising the entire slope is not feasible due to the high cost and challenging geology, including exposed rock face.
“We understand the importance of this walkway connection for the community, both for passive recreation and as a route for ferry commuters.
“To ensure continued access, we are actively working on solutions.
“This includes looking into the possibility of widening the pathway to allow more accessibility for users.
“In the meantime, the specific area around the failing retaining structure will remain fenced off for safety. We appreciate residents raising their concerns.”
