Media Release

16 September 2008

Monsoon bucket used in Kawakawa Bay landslip

Efforts to remove excess soil sitting above the Kawakawa Bay landslip began today.  

A helicopter with a 1300 litre monsoon bucket made its first flight over the hill today and has dropped already more than 10,400 litres of water.

Manukau City Council Organisational Performance Director Robyn McCulloch says the helicopter operation is being closely controlled.

“Over the weekend, barriers were put in place to help contain material brought down from the landslip. 

“More than 100 truckloads of unstable earth have to come down from above the road.  It’s early days yet, and there are more water drops to come.  If this watering operation is successful, it will take some time to truck away the material and clean up the base of the landslip. 

“But the council wants the road open by the start of October,” says Ms McCulloch.

The helicopter is scheduled for another flight tomorrow Wednesday from 10am. 

The reopened road would initially only be single lane and controlled to ensure safety. 

ENDS

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