Parts of Invercargill’s Estuary Walkway will stay closed into the New Year, as storm damage to the boardwalk section requires specialist repair work.

The Roger Sutton Boardwalk, part of the Estuary Walkway, has been closed since extreme winds hit Southland on 23 October and caused damage across the region, including to the popular walking track around the estuary.

Invercargill City Council Manager Parks and Recreation Caroline Rain said staff had worked hard to quickly reopen the rest of the Estuary Walkway, but the boardwalk section remained unsafe and unstable.

“The storm in October did damage to the boardwalk’s foundation and decking. The structure remains unstable and isn’t fully supported in places,” she said.

“The boardwalk passes over some incredibly deep, sandy mud, which we need to keep people out of.” When the boardwalk was built in 2007, a purpose-built floating working platform was used to drive piles into the estuary.

Rain said it would take some time to find a contractor with the equipment and expertise to undertake this work again, while considering the environmental impact of construction on the lagoon’s ecology.

Invercargill’s Roger Sutton Boardwalk. Photo: Invercargill City Council

“This place is rich in birdlife, fish and native plants. In fixing the boardwalk, we need to make sure we aren’t damaging the surrounding environment. “I anticipate it will take several months before the repairs can be completed.”

Signage and barriers would be in place advising the public of the areas that were closed, and Council would let the public know when the boardwalk was ready to reopen, Rain said.

“We know this walkway – and the boardwalk in particular – is one of the most popular scenic spots in Invercargill. “We really appreciate the community’s patience as we work to make it safe again.”

The Estuary Walkway boardwalk was named in honour of Invercargill environmentalist Roger Sutton (1921 – 2006), who was a key driver behind the development of the former landfill site into a sanctuary for local plants and wildlife.

Sutton was celebrated in the 1984 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to conservation.