Work has restarted on the multi-million-dollar seawall and walkway project at Ōrewa Beach after construction paused during the busy summer period.
Before last year’s holiday shutdown, stonemasons had built two 30 metre sections of the new seawall. The section between Kohu Street and Kinloch Reserve is taking shape and will include a pedestrian ramp and stairs with the walkway section being built last.
Multiple crews are working over the next 10 months on the 600-metre seawall and walkway which extends from Kohu Street to Marine View.
Key cost saving initiatives have been applied to this project to ensure good value for money for Aucklanders. This includes value engineering (a thorough process that ensures value for money without compromising on function) alongside robust contract negotiations.
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board chair Alexis Poppelbaum says that Ōrewa Beach faces several challenging erosion issues with the highest risk of progressive erosion along the narrow esplanade reserve at the beach’s northern end.
“This narrow section of esplanade reserve is vulnerable to erosion and without the seawall, the public reserve area would be lost with no walking access during high tides.
“Our community and visitors need access to this end of beach and this project will improve all-tide access for our community and visitors so they can continue to enjoy the beach.
“The seawall and walkway should be completed before the end of the year but that does depend on favourable weather conditions.
“The board is pleased to see progress on this project - it is not lost on us that this has been many years in the making including a lengthy and costly Environment Court process,” says Poppelbaum.
Beach access and safety
Pedestrians can access the beach at Kohu Street and Kinloch Reserve. The Kinloch car park is open but may close for short periods during construction. Beach visitors should take care because of the heavy machinery and vehicles and keep out of fenced areas.
As construction progresses towards Marine View, at times the contractors will use the boat ramp to access the beach. Some of the foreshore areas and beach will need to close for short periods.
Contractors will notify residents ahead of time to keep disruption to a minimum.
The watermain pipe that runs along the esplanade reserve and was damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle is also being replaced. The contractors will notify residents of this work ahead of time.
Next steps
Work that will be completed between March to June includes:
-
the seawall, pedestrian ramp and stairs between Kohu Street and Kinloch Reserve
-
the walkway between Kohu Street and Kinloch Reserve
-
starting on the seawall between Kinloch and Remembrance reserves.
People wanting to receive project updates, should email orewaseawall@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or visit the project page on the council's website.
The Ōrewa walkway and seawall is a 600m-long seawall and shared path in Ōrewa, between Marine View and Kohu Street, as well as a shared space and beach enhancements at Kinloch Reserve.
Along with the seawall and shared pathway, the project includes planting along the walkway and in Kinloch and Kohu Street reserves, inground lighting, three ramps and five sets of stairs to improve accessibility to the beach. The design has also sought to minimise impact to existing vegetation and protect the pōhutukawa trees that are currently at threat from erosion.
Stay up to date
Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest news and events direct to your inbox each month. Or follow us on Facebook.
