Mt Maunganui mainbeach reopens

The National On Scene Commander has agreed to re-open a small section of beach between Mount Maunganui and Moturiki Island (Leisure Island).

Some restrictions on public access have been lifted, and the following areas are again open to public access: from the Base Track at Mount Maunganui to Leisure Island


Beach go-ers jumped at the opportunity to make it back on the beach after being given the all clear today. While circumstances could change, officials are optimistic. Photos by Cody Stevens.

A marine oil spill response is being carried out and access is restricted in the following area: from Leisure Island to Maketu Point, including the Maketu Estuary.

The decision to allow public access to the small section of beach was made after careful assessment of the beach and water sampling.

Maritime New Zealand National On Scene Commander Nick Quinn says this part of the beach had received light to moderate oiling last week.

'We've had beach clean-up teams there getting rid of the oil, and this morning we had environmental assessment teams digging down into the sand to check for any buried oil.

'They've dug a number of trenches down into the sand and established that it's clear.

'We have also conducted water sampling, which has confirmed the water in that area has returned to pre-spill conditions.”

Nick says there was still the possibility that changing tides and weather conditions could bring residual oil to the open part of the beach.

'People shouldn't panic if they do see some oil around there – it's been three days since we got any fresh oil off the ship and so the oil that is out there is weathered and less toxic than any fresh oil.

'However, we still want people to report any oil they see – particularly around this open section of beach. We'd also ask that any oil that is seen, not be touched, but reported back to us.”


Within minutes of the announcement, people flocked to the beach to enjoy the sun.

Assessment teams had identified some oil in rock pools around the mount – clean-up teams were tackling this today.

Nick says although the open section was only a small piece of coastline, the quick turnaround between the oiling last Thursday and the re-opening today showed how effective the clean-up crews could be.

'We are here for the duration of this response. When oil turns up on the shore, we will get it clean and open to the public as soon as we can. And if we need to, we will do that again and again.”

The beach between Leisure Island and Maketu remains closed.

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7 comments

well done

Posted on 16-10-2011 12:34 | By earlybird

Excellent work. Congratulations and a big thank you to all the teams involved in dealing with this disaster


ANWER TO PRAYER

Posted on 16-10-2011 15:16 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

This morning at Holy Trinity we prayed that the clean up would move fast er than any expected. Terrific news that part of the beach is open.Thank you for all those who worked so hard. Shalom!


Thanks Mum

Posted on 16-10-2011 16:53 | By bigted

Most of all a big thank you to mother nature being so kind to us. Things could have been a lot worse.


Good News

Posted on 16-10-2011 17:58 | By Investigator

Congrats to all those involved in the cleanup -Main Beach looks really good at moment. Cannot tell what tomorrow will bring but at present it looks a picture. Cross your fingers.


A lull before the storm

Posted on 16-10-2011 18:48 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

Cast your eyes out to sea and look at the Rena... at the 1300 odd containers and 1300 odd tonne of heavy fuel oil still out there... then ask yourself what progress is being made out at the reef and what lies ahead for the coastline.


yet to come

Posted on 17-10-2011 12:16 | By Donnaw

A huge thank you to all the clean up crews, they have done an awesome job (so far) in cleaning up the mount beach which was lucky enough not to be hit as hard as Papamoa Beach, but i dont think we have seen the end or the worst of it yet...there is still alot of oil on that ship and all the praying in the world isnt going to stop it from comming ashore, "out of sight, out of mind" ??? Dont get too complacent people, there is more to come. But all in all Great effort from everyone involved in the clean up and we thank you so much


Publicity stunt

Posted on 17-10-2011 13:30 | By Kin

Using children as guinea pigs just to show the rest of the country that the beach is open for business ahead of the summer. It's like Jaws. I'm expecting Mayor Crosby down there saying all is well, followed by Chief Inspector Wright-St Clair shouting "get out of the water".


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