Further funding to protect South Wairarapa coastal road approved

Good news for people travelling along the South Wairarapa coast with Transfund New Zealand approving further funding to protect a slumping section of Cape Palliser Road.

The Transfund Board approved $1.5 million to protect the Johnson’s Hill section of road which has, over the last few months, slumped due to sea erosion, reducing the road to one lane.

This section of road is over very unstable country and has had similar problems in the past.

Yesterday’s funding approval follows the earlier approval in September last year of over $1.3 million for protection work at the Waitarangi Cliffs section, which is now nearing completion.

Acting Chief Executive Peter Wright said it was important to keep the no-exit road open to ensure access to Ngawi, a fishing village serving over 20 commercial fishing boats, and the popular tourist destination of Cape Palliser lighthouse and seal colony.

“There have been concerns over the safety of this particular section of road. We also realise how important this road is for those people who live on, and enjoy the attractions of, the South Wairarapa coast.

“This road has a history of coastal erosion and this work will further protect the road, which has already be made safer by work funded through earlier allocations,” he said.

Mr Wright said South Wairarapa District Council has been monitoring the Johnson’s Hill section of road for some time but severe sea conditions and wet weather had accelerated the erosion and hence the need for repair works.

The $1.5 million would be spent on a 400m long rock wall, at beach level, for erosion protection and relocating the road further into the cliff.

It would be carried out to the same specification as earlier successful protection work on the Te Kopi section of road completed two years ago.

Cape Palliser Road is a Special Purpose Road and is controlled by the South Wairarapa District Council but fully funded by Transfund.

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