August 4 2016

If you’ve travelled past Deans Head lately, you’ll have noticed a dramatic change in the landscape.

Council work to mitigate the mass movement, cliff collapse and rockfall risk in this area is progressing well. The works, managed by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), have seen considerable activity both in Peacocks Gallop and the adjacent Deans Head area. 

At Peacocks Gallop, the construction of a series of tiered benches and a ‘debris catch trench’ between the benches and the cliff is well underway. The benches have been constructed as a cost effective way of dealing with the fallen debris and also provide a zone to intercept any debris. Each slope between the benches is covered in an armour of boulder rock to provide a natural look. A habitat for lizards will also be developed, alongside native planting.

LINZ has also progressed with demolishing the properties on the adjacent Deans Head area, and should be finished the last three demolitions in about five weeks. A large access ramp has been constructed joining the Deans Head landslide area with Peacocks Gallop so equipment and material can be easily moved between the areas.

Remote controlled equipment, including large remote control diggers, are being used in areas where workers would be at risk. Drones and comprehensive laser scanning are being used to monitor the slopes for any movement to ensure the safety of workers.

The final design for the rock benches and planting are being worked on now.

The security fencing along Main Road in Redcliffs and Sumner will be pool style, after the majority of people supported this style in a consultation with the community.

The consultation saw 145 submissions received with 86 (59 percent) in support of the pool style security fence, 43 (30 percent) in support of the mesh style security fence, 6 submitters (4 percent) who supported both options and 10 submitters (7 percent) who did not indicate which option they preferred.

Read the submissions and project team responses to each submission here. 

The bund on Wakefield Avenue, opposite Denman Street, has now been completed.

The bund is one of three along Wakefield Avenue, part of the mitigation works to protect road users from rockfall, cliff collapse and mass movement in the area.

The longest bund, between Paisley and Campbell Streets has been started, with the first layer now in construction (as shown below). The last of the work will begin on the final bund, on the corner of Wakefield Avenue and Nayland Street.

All three bunds are expected to be finished in early 2017. Shipping containers currently protecting the road from these hazards will then be removed.