Erosion at the Sunset Beach carpark in Port Waikato. Photo: Waikato District Council/Facebook
The Waikato District Council announced the closure after the coastline lost two metres to erosion overnight.
The overnight erosion of a Port Waikato beach carpark was reminiscent of scenes from the Apocalypse Now film, the local Surf Lifesaving president says.
On Tuesday, the Waikato District Council announced the closure of the carpark after the coastline lost two metres to erosion overnight.
Sunset Beach carpark closed due to dramatic erosion
Sunset Beach Surf Lifesaving Club president Malcolm Beattie told Morning Report it was like a scene from the movie.
"It was horrific."
There had been a slow erosion over the past decade, he said.
The beach itself, and the road to the beach, remained open, Beattie said.
The Surf Lifesaving Club was putting together a proposal for the Council with three options for saving the carpark.
Beattie said its preferred option was to use untreated poles and rocks.
"We are very optimistic that the council under the circumstances will permit that."
In a post on its Facebook page, the Council said the carpark would remain closed until further notice and beach-goers should avoid the area under the carpark.
"We're working closely with the local community to respond, with a quickly moveable barrier to keep people safe on the car park. We thank them for their assistance," it said.
"200 sand bags will be delivered for the car park to temporarily reduce run off from rain further contributing to erosion."