Footpath to close temporarily for erosion control

18 September 2014

Two sections of the Lions' Walk will temporarily close this month to allow erosion work to be carried out around the lakefront.

The first footpath closure will be at Waipahihi Bay near the Sea Scouts building from next week. Signs will be in place over the next few days to inform pedestrians and cyclists of the impending closure. It is expected this section of footpath will reopen by the end of the month.

The second closure will be further south at Kaiwaka Point, the area of land that juts out between Tremaine Avenue and Hawai Street. This section will be closed from late September and is expected to reopen by the end of October, weather permitting.

Detours will be in place and signage erected to allow footpath users to take a different route before reaching the closed sections. The council has approval from the C75 Trust and Ngati Tuwharetoa to carry out the work.

The work is being done by Higgins Contractors to strengthen banks that have deteriorated due to erosion in heavy storms. Rocks will be used to stabilise the banks and any matting material remaining from previous efforts to minimise erosion will be removed. Once completed, the areas will be resown with grass to restore their natural environments.

Taupo District Council strategic projects manager Andrew Boden said the work was being done now to ensure the areas were tidy for Christmas and the summer holidays. We hope to carry out this work quickly so the whole length of the Lions' Walk can be safely used by the community again soon, he said.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

Vicki Waterhouse Communications Advisor 07 376 0718 027 484 2549

Taupo District Council

www.taupo.govt.nz