People staying at Clifton Motor Camp 1 were asked to vacate the site within 24 hours following an initial independent geotechnical assessment this week highlighting an extreme risk of landslide.
An inspection of at-risk sites was triggered by the recent landslide tragedy in Tauranga, and the Clifton Motor Camp leaseholders identifying dangerous trees above the campground. As part of that precautionary work, Council commissioned a preliminary geotechnical assessment of the Clifton Motor Camp 1 site.
The assessment, supported by site visits this week, found the land above the campground to be highly unstable. Heavy or prolonged rain, elevated groundwater levels, or an earthquake could cause the slope to fail. If that occurred, soil, rocks and large trees would fall directly onto buildings and caravans located at the base of the slope.
Because many structures are situated close to the hillside, there would be little warning and limited opportunity to escape safely.
The site has experienced slips in the past, including one that damaged the toilet block and covered the playground area in April 2011. In 2019, a slip from the Clifton Beach Cape Kidnappers escarpment put two tourists in hospital. The latest rain event caused one of the trees to fall and a small slip.
Hastings District Council chief executive Nigel Bickle said the decision was based squarely on independent expert advice.
“This is not a knee-jerk reaction. Following the Tauranga event, we asked experts to reassess sites like Clifton using current information and risk standards. The advice is clear – the level of risk is extreme and cannot be ignored.”
The climate and risk had markedly changed for the worse since the earlier slip, said Mr Bickle.
The previous land movement was assessed at the time as localised and manageable. “Geotechnical science, modelling and national risk guidance have progressed significantly. We also know that more frequent and high-intensity rainfall events increase slope instability.
“The assessment we have now reflects today’s knowledge and today’s climate realities. It presents a far more serious risk profile than what was understood previously.”
Making the site safe would require significant engineering and drainage works, likely costing several million dollars. Unless that work was undertaken, the campground could not be considered safe to occupy.
The decision to require occupants to vacate was made by the leaseholders (The Clifton Reserve Society Incorporated), and landowner Hastings District Council.
Council staff are working with the Society and support agencies to assist residents, including helping those who need it to connect with accommodation and support services, coordinating practical arrangements, arranging security for the site, and enabling safe access for residents to retrieve personal belongings.
“We recognise this is distressing for the people who use the campground, some for many decades,” Mr Bickle said.
“But when expert advice tells us there is a credible threat to life, we have a responsibility to act.”
