Storm damaged Kawakawa footpath reopens

A riverside path that links Derrick Road to Johnson Park in Kawakawa was reopened over the weekend in time for the first day of term on Monday for nearby Bay of Islands College.

The path is a popular route for students walking to school but was closed in August after a section of concrete was significantly undermined by Waiomio Stream. The waterway was one of many impacted by severe weather that caused flooding and damage throughout the Far North in August.

At the height of the storm, the swollen stream undermined the riverbank, leaving a large section of the concrete path unsupported. The path was closed to the public due to the risk that it might collapse if used.

The unsupported section of path has now been removed and an existing fence improved to prevent pedestrians straying over the edge.

Engineers are now considering options to prevent the riverbank being further undermined by future severe weather events.