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An Auckland township hit hard and cut off from the rest of the city by Cyclone Gabrielle will have all cordons lifted this week.
Auckland Council has announced the cordon restricting access into Piha will be removed at midday on Friday, opening up to non-residents again following the extreme weather events earlier this year.
The small community on Auckland’s west coast was smashed by the cyclone on February 13 with the devastation described as “off the charts”.
Residents were still without power days afterwards and were feeling isolated, Waitākere ward councillor Shane Henderson previously said.
READ MORE:
* Auckland Council apolgises for lifting cordon into storm-hit community
* Land unstable six days after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated Piha and Muriwai
* ‘Don’t come to Piha,’ locals say, as sightseers block access to those in need
The main road into Piha, Piha Road, was left unstable and prone to slips following the storm, making it “extremely dangerous”.
Auckland Council deputy group recovery manager Mace Ward said all necessary safety and roading assessments and community consultation had been completed, and there was no longer a need for a cordon to remain.
“The Piha cordon was put in place immediately following Cyclone Gabrielle to minimise the risk to public safety, maintain the integrity of Piha Road and reduce community distress while the immediate aftermath of the extreme weather was assessed.
“Work has since been undertaken by Auckland Council and Auckland Transport to assess the ongoing risk to the community and wider public in relation to land and road stability, and we are now confident the cordon can be removed without any risk to public safety.”
Jason Dorday/Stuff
Drone images of Marine Parade, Piha after Cyclone Gabrielle
Ward said the decision to remove the cordon considered public safety, the resilience of the main road into Piha, mitigation measures, active environmental monitoring, sustainability of local services and the wellbeing and security concerns of affected property owners.
“We know many Aucklanders have been frustrated at being excluded from Piha, and we are very pleased to be removing the cordon so Piha can once again welcome visitors, friends and whānau.”
Piha resident Jenene Crossan welcomed the news calling it a “good thing” for cordons to be lifted but had concerns around the ongoing maintenance of affected roads.
“I think it’s important for people to be able to get back to their lives and for businesses to bring people back to Piha to enjoy the Waitākere Ranges.
”However a lot of our roads still have under slips, so as long as there’s ongoing monitoring of the roads, and we’re not left with roads that are still vulnerable, then this is a good thing.”
Piha Road which suffered extensive damage during the cyclone is down to one lane in a section near the main lookout.
RYAN ANDERSON/Stuff
Piha resident Jenene Crossan said the township risked becoming an inaccessible island if there were further weather events.
Auckland Transport chief engineer Murray Burt said recent geotechnical assessments show the road can safely cope with increased traffic when the cordon lifts.
“We have temporary traffic lights in place for the short one-lane stretch near the lookout to ensure safe traffic flow.
“We’re asking for everyone’s patience when they’re travelling to and from Piha because journey times will be longer than what people were used to before Cyclone Gabrielle.”
Burt said Auckland Transport are working on plans for permanent repairs to Piha Road and will update the community once it has completed its technical assessments and initial design work.
Auckland Transport have been contacted for further comment.
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