Waikare Road slip repair completed

A major slip remediation project on Waikare Road in Karetu has been completed, delivering a safer, stronger and more resilient road connection for the local community.

The project restores the long-term reliability of this important rural route following damage caused by a historic landslide, worsened during Cyclone Gabrielle and subsequent severe weather events.

The work has stabilised the hillside and rebuilt the road, restoring two-way traffic at the slip site, which had been progressively reduced to less than four metres wide after approximately 1.5 metres of road had been lost.

The project involved complex engineering on steep terrain, with slopes dropping up to 50 metres into the gully below. Construction included the installation of 14 reinforced concrete piles supporting a 16-metre retaining wall with timber lagging, the use of lightweight engineered geofoam fill to rebuild the road platform while reducing pressure on the unstable slope, a reinforced concrete barrier beam, new drainage infrastructure including culverts, manholes, table drains and erosion protection, full pavement reconstruction, and reinstatement of roadside safety barriers.

A standout feature of the project was the use of lightweight geofoam fill. This innovative material allowed engineers to rebuild the road while placing significantly less weight on the unstable hillside, improving the long-term stability and resilience of the site and helping safeguard the route long-term.

Careful planning ensured one lane of Waikare Road remained open throughout construction, allowing residents, school buses and other road users to continue using the route with minimal disruption. The road also remained available as an important detour for Helena Bay traffic, helping maintain access across the wider area while work was underway.

The council acknowledges the patience, cooperation and support of the Waikare and Karetu communities throughout the works.

Image below: Before

Image below: During

Image below: After