Maintenance work to help repair the foreshore is well under way in Marokopa.

The Waitomo District Council project began earlier this month with a karakia blessing held on site. The ceremony was arranged with Marokopa Marae.

General Manager–Infrastructure Services Tony Hale says with winter approaching, it is important the work got underway.

“Work is being undertaken to repair the wall from further erosion at the northern end and beneath the wall, which could impact on stability,” he says.

The repair work is being completed by Inframax Construction Ltd and will take place over eight to 10 weeks.

“The first stage will involve concrete grouting between the top of the foundation beam and the underside of the wall,” says Tony.

“Rock from Taharoa Quarry will be stockpiled at the road end on Moana Quay and transported to the site along the beach using a tractor and trailer.

“This area will be closed to public while the wall is being repaired, but people will still have access to the beach from Moana Quay.”

Following completion of the repair work, rock protection will be placed in front of the wall, and at a later stage, timber stairs will be constructed which will give the public access to the estuary off the northern end of the wall.

This stage will be completed once funding is approved.

“To avoid double handling, the piles for the new stairs will be constructed at the same time as the rock protection work and will take place for two to three hours either side of low tide during daytime hours only, over a period of approximately eight weeks.”

Access to properties will not be affected during the construction period.