Property owners warn of erosion threat

Erosion near a residential development has people calling for urgent action.

Land continues to slip into the Manukau Harbour from the foreshore at Karaka Harbourside.

Among those who say the problem urgently needs to be fixed by Auckland Council is local resident Glenn Archibald.

‘‘People’s properties are becoming more and more at risk,’’ the former Papakura district councillor said.

‘‘The council has recognised there is a safety issue with the more recent slippage. I don’t think it realises the erosion is encroaching on to private property.’’

A steel fence was erected near the erosion on Harbourside Drive while the council carried out work.

A fence and warning signs have been erected along the nearby walkway to reduce public risk. Heavy rocks have been placed on to the ground below the eroding cliff. But Archibald said more large rocks, known as a ‘‘toe’’, need to be installed along the length of the erosion zone.

‘‘It will all be in vain if the council doesn’t finish it off.’’ Auckland Council parks manager Malcolm Page said Harbourside Dr is part of continued erosion monitoring along the coastal edge. Work carried out so far is part of a two-stage process to mitigate the erosion’s impact and assess how it can best be managed.

The cliff embankment has been regraded and planted and tree stumps have been removed, Page said.

‘‘The second consented stage will involve a toe-supported base, which on completion will also require ongoing erosion monitoring to measure effects.

‘‘There is no confirmed date on when stage two works may be implemented. Toe support at the base is the key outcome to managing erosion for this coastal edge over the long-term.’’

But Archibald said the erosion will accelerate unless urgent steps are taken.

‘‘You can put fencing at the top to keep people away but it’s about what’s being lost.’’

Papakura councillor Calum Penrose said the erosion problem ‘‘goes back a long way’’.

‘‘We’ve got erosion problems across the whole region and Karaka Harbourside is no different. I’ve pushed over the last 12 months to get a seawall there. I’m still unhappy with it.’’