��һ�ǿ�����

Watercare’s set a completion date for repairs on a sinkhole-swallowed carpark in Auckland, but it is too late for some local businesses who have had to relocate and shut their doors.

A giant sinkhole opened up on St Georges Road in Parnell last September after a sewer line collapsed – caused by a combination of factors including heavy rain and deteriorating pipes.

The 13-metre-deep hole descended to a 2.1m-wide collapsed brick pipe that served Central and West Auckland.

A later report found it led to about eight million litres of wastewater pouring daily into Waitematā Harbour for several weeks.

Watercare asset and upgrades renewals manager Suzanne Lucas said the carpark will be reinstated by September – a year after the sinkhole opened.

Watercare’s website said it is expected to occur "around August.”

“We’re looking at about $22-million to complete it,” Lucas said

Businesses in the Parnell Quarter, which lies at the top of St Georges Road, have felt the impacts of the year-long construction.

A stop-go light controls cars flowing in and out of the Quarter, with many businesses erecting signs in the nearby area to remind customers they’re still open.

Elle Maison, a family-owned home goods store, has had to move from the area completely due to the ongoing works.

Owner Noelle Davies estimated up to 80 percent of their customers were having difficulties getting to them.

“We had a customer saying sorry, I’m not coming back until it’s repaired.”

Davies said their foot traffic took a big hit.

“People walking in felt intimidated by the construction - driving in was bad enough but walking in you felt quite unsafe.”

She said they left in late April to a new location in Remuera.

Davies said while the sinkhole was far and away the biggest contributor to their move it wasn’t the only one, with the cost of living and a separate driveway repair also hurting their customer numbers.

Nearby Havana Coffee has shut down its roastery café as a result of the impact of the sinkhole.

A sign on its door reads:

“Due to the impacts of the recent works in the area we have made the hard decision to temporarily close the café including bean sales for the remainder of 2024.”

A nearby business, that wished to stay anonymous, said the initial response was great, but it was upsetting to see how quickly it did damage to the businesses in the area.

"The amount of traffic coming through here has dropped off completely,” they said.

“It’s affected us getting new customers, as there’s not the same amount of people down here.”

Local Epsom MP David Seymour has had people contact his office, expressing their concerns.

He said the loss of a carpark and the re-routing of sewage has led to huge inconvenience.

“It’s an enormous frustration for people who’ve had their businesses impacted in economic times that are tough enough without these extra worries,” Seymour said.