Media Release

19/07/2018

Geotechnical investigations completed as part of the Titirangi Summit Redevelopment Project have found that earthworks will be required to correct instability issues around the observatory.

A report presented to the Future Tairāwhiti Committee today outlined key findings from the summit site investigations, including confirmation that part of the observatory building was located on non-engineered fill, which is prone to instability and land slippage.

The recommendation is to cut down the knoll the observatory sits on and remove the non-engineered fill and geology that has caused instability issues. Once removed, a large area of suitable land will be available for a new building development and possibly parking.

Council will work with Ngati Oneone to determine an appropriate place for the soil removed, in an effort to retain as much of Titirangi maunga as possible.

In April, the Committee agreed in principle that the preferred option for the summit redevelopment was to replace the observatory with a multi-purpose building but retain the gun emplacement.

Site investigations followed in May, looking at amenity provisions, possible carpark layouts as well as ground stability and building footprint options.

Another geotechnical recommendation was to reticulate wastewater services over soakage pits (the current method for the observatory building) due to the effect it could have on land stability, and the general clay-rich nature of the soil.

This will require further investigations to determine the most effective way to trench down the maunga to connect into the main service lines.

More options for public conveniences will be presented once the civil engineering reports are complete.

The summit redevelopment is one of five projects under the Tairāwhiti Navigations programme.

A budget of $6m for the summit project is included in an application to the Provincial Growth Fund.

Last month Council was awarded $3.1m in funds to develop a walk-bridge connecting the Cook Landing Site to Titirangai and a Te Maro commemorative site.

A decision is expected for the summit redevelopment funding in August.

ENDS

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