Rockfall risk highlighted in 2009
The Department of Conservation was aware of ‘‘unacceptable risks’’ at Cape Kidnappers more than a decade before January’s massive slip.
The revelations come in light of documents that show DOC had commissioned reports into the risks in the area as far back as 2009.
The walk along Cape Kidnappers beach to the famous gannet colony has been closed to the public since two Korean tourists were seriously injured when a massive slip occurred on the overhanging cliff in late January.
One of the tourists, Jungho Son, said he thought he was going to die when the torrent of boulders hit him and his friend.
DOC commissioned a report in September 2017 that found rock falls, slips, tidal waves and seals all represented ‘‘unacceptable risks’’ to the public. report commissioned made similar claims.
The 2017 report, completed on the eve of a multi-million dollar campaign to promote Cape Kidnappers as a Great Day Walk, called for DOC to carry out a geotechnical survey of the hazards.
Yet the survey, undertaken by engineering firm OPUS, failed to look at hazards along the beach walk, only focusing on DOC assets. Another in 2009
The OPUS report, published in November 2017, identified erosion issues and advised DOC to move its track and facilities.
DOC director of heritage and visitors Steve Taylor said: ‘‘Immediately after the incident we initiated an internal investigation . . . We won’t be in a position to comment further until this investigation is complete.’’
This month, a Hastings District Council spokeswoman said a geologist engaged by the council warned there was a lot of loose material in the vicinity and further rockfalls were likely.
The council had received a copy of the 2017 Cape Kidnappers Redevelopment Options Analysis following the January 23 landslide, a council spokeswoman said. ‘‘We were unaware of the 2009 report.’’
Managing director of Gannet Beach Adventures Kim Lindsay said it received copies of the DOC reports on Monday evening. ‘‘This is the first we have seen of any of these reports.’’