The Marina Terrace Developers and their contractors have provided QLDC with a plan to clear the landslide from Lakeside Road, Wanaka. Within a complex site, health and safety best practice and ensuring any risk of a further slip is mitigated are paramount within this plan. The plan itself will evolve as progress on the slip removal is advanced. QLDC contractors Opus International have independently assessed the developers’ proposed methodology and ongoing measures to monitor safety and stability, and confirmed satisfaction to QLDC who have subsequently given approval for the developers’ contractors to begin clearing the landslide from the southern half of the road nearest to the lake.

The initial work by the developers will see a channel created through the slip on the eastbound lane of the road and a temporary retaining concrete wall built through the channel. Although the assessment given to QLDC by the developers is that the “dewatering” so far has been sufficient to attempt this procedure, the QLDC and Opus representatives on site will be monitoring the activity for any movement in the slip. Any such movement will require the clearing works to halt immediately whilst the situation is reassessed.

The first phase of the developers’ work will clear sufficient material to reopen the westbound lane of Lakeside Road, and traffic management will be in place to safely supervise vehicles allowing managed traffic movement in both directions through the road. The one lane will only be opened once all debris has been cleared and the developer has provided QLDC with sufficient evidence that the remaining slip is stable and does not pose a risk to traffic.

At this time, QLDC was not provided with a confirmed timeline for when the one lane will be open as this is subject to the developers’ closely monitored progress. As details are available QLDC will provide a further advisory, but would take this opportunity again to thank the community and local residents for their patience during this event.

ENDS