Omanu Beach users are being advised to take caution, while an asbestos decontamination process is taking place in the area.

Asbestos warning signs and blocks were discovered by a resident this week, at a beach access way on Oceanbeach Rd near the Omanu Surf Club.

Tauranga City Council parks and recreation manager Mark Smith says asbestos was discovered during recent weed removal in this area of the dunes.

'Through this process we found building materials and other rubbish concealed under the weeds, which had been historically dumped in the reserve.

'We tested the materials and the area, and found it was contaminated with asbestos.”

Mark says the area was immediately fenced off.

'As soon as we discovered the materials, we followed the legislative process and fenced off the area. We collected anything above ground, and we're now decontaminating the rest of the site.

'This should only take a couple of days and is being completed by an accredited asbestos remediation company.

'After the work is done any sand that has been removed will need to be replaced, and the site retested by an independent assessor before the access reopens.”

Public is now advised to avoid the area.

'While the risk to the public is low, we'd advise people avoid the area until the fencing and warning signs are removed.”