QLDC Response to Lakeside Road Landslide, Wanaka

QLDC officials are on site at the Marina Terrace construction site in Wanaka where a landslide occurred overnight, causing Lakeside Road to be closed. Along with Council contractors, Downer and Veolia, QLDC are in regular communication with the developers to monitor the clean-up operation and to ensure that there is no detrimental effect to the lake, immediate environment and council services.

The developer has confirmed the landslide is due to the site becoming destabilised as a result of removing vegetation and waterlogged soil. This is preparatory work for de-watering the site. QLDC priorities are to ensure that the site is stabilised to prevent further slips and guarantee that neighbouring properties are not at risk. The developer has informed the immediate residents and offered reassurance regarding the localised nature of the event in the centre of the site.

Anthony Hall, QLDC Principal Monitoring and Enforcement Officer, is coordinating the Council’s response and has been liaising with the Marina Terrace developers. Mr Hall said, “We’ve been advised that GeoSolve engineers are onsite directing the operation. The developers are awaiting instructions from GeoSolve as to when the landslide can be removed and the road re-opened.”

“We are continuing to monitor progress and the road remains closed. We’re unable to confirm at this stage when the road will reopen which will happen as soon as it is safe and practicable. Diversions are in place and as a precaution the lakeside pedestrian walkway has also been closed.”

“The developer is currently continuing to draw down the groundwater level on site and they report that this has stabilised the slip with no additional movement noted since 3.00am. Once this dewatering is completed a slope stability analysis will be undertaken to confirm that the remedial works have provided sufficient increase in stability and reduce risk to Lakeside Road.”

QLDC has been advised that there has been no adverse effect from the slip on the lake which has been monitored by representatives from Otago Regional Council. QLDC Chief Engineer, Ulrich Glasner, also confirmed that Council water infrastructure was unaffected.

ENDS

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