Other geological event

People are being warned not to swim, fish or collect shellfish south of the Onemana Drive carpark after a sinkhole formed near the Thames-Coromandel District Council’s Onemana Wastewater Treatment Plant.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the council said it was aware of a sinkhole that had formed near the plant and suspected treated wastewater may have entered a local wetland, potentially flowing into a stream that discharges at the beach.
As a precaution, the council erected signage at the Onemana Drive carpark advising people not to enter the water or gather kaimoana in the area around where the stream meets the beach, until further notice.
“We are aware of a tomo (sinkhole) that has formed near the Onemana Wastewater Treatment Plant and we suspect treated wastewater may have entered a local wetland, potentially entering a stream that flows to the beach area,” the council said.
The council urged residents and visitors to follow the restrictions while investigations and monitoring continue.
The council did not say how long the restrictions would remain in place but said updates would be provided when available.
“Please adhere to these restrictions. We will provide updates when they are ready here. Thank you.”
Onemana is a coastal settlement on the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula, and its beach and surrounding coastline are popular for swimming and shellfish gathering.
The council has not confirmed whether treated wastewater has definitively entered the stream or coastal waters, but said the measures were being taken as a proactive step while sampling and monitoring are under way.
Further results from water testing and site monitoring are expected to determine whether additional action is required or when the public health advisory can be lifted.
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Stuff