Chasm fenced off near walkway
Flood damage to the banks of the Mangaone Stream downstream from the Pioneer Highway bridge is getting worse, and likely to deteriorate further before it is fixed.
The first damage happened in the June 2015 floods when the stream rose higher than Palmerston North resident Barrie Angland had ever seen it before.
The ground opened up around a stormwater discharge from Kentucky Way, exposing the pipes.
Angland said the problem got worse after moderate flooding this winter.
The area has now been fenced off to keep people safe along the walking and cycling track, about half way along the track toward the Awapuni racecourse.
Angland said Horizons Regional Council and the city council were ‘‘duck-shoving’’, not taking responsibility for a washout that was going to cost ratepayers more to fix the longer it waited.
It left everyone in the area exposed to further problems the next time there was a flood, he said.
Horizons central engineering officer Jenna Buchanan said the washout was the city council’s problem, as the council responsible for stormwater assets. ’’As the damage does not pose an immediate threat to flood protection assets, other than keeping an eye out for any subsequent alignment changes in the area, Horizons are not involved in the repair work,’’ she said.
City council water and waste services manager Robert Van Bentum said the area was well away from any stopbanks and walkways, and the security fencing should help keep people safe.
Repairs were planned to be carried out this financial year, but would have to wait until summer. ’’Permanent repair works will require the use of heavy machinery and this can only be undertaken during the summer when stream levels are low and ground conditions are dry,’’ Van Bentum said.
He said there was a risk the slumping and erosion could get worse before then. ’’Unfortunately, this is unavoidable and not expected to be severe. In the meantime, security fencing will help to ensure the safety of the public.’’