Work on the escarpment behind the Clifton Road carpark in Whakatāne is expected to be completed by the end of this week.  

A geotech appraisal and inspection of the cliff face was undertaken to assess the implications of a rock fall that closed the carpark last month, and Whakatāne District Council Transportation Manager Martin Taylor says several trees and at least one sizable boulder needed to be assessed.

“The rock fall had left a narrow ridge in place, as well as several unstable outcrops and overhangs, and ultimately a rock splitter was employed to remove a quite sizable boulder,” Mr Taylor says. Several trees were also removed to stabilize the cliff face.

The Clifton Road carpark is expected to be reopened in the coming weeks once the remaining clean-up and stabilization work has concluded.