A series of unfortunate events

2017 July 14

A landslip takes out access to David McLaughlin’s 44 Cluny Road property. August 16 McLaughlin lodges an EQC claim.

October 9 A geotechnical engineer’s report for Porirua City Council suggests a solution would cost $124,000 – $50,000 of that at McLaughlin’s expense.

2018

February 19 The council decides on a different solution that uses mesh. It offers to get the contractors to also cut into neighbouring road reserve to provide alternative access from the front of 42 Cluny Rd, at McLaughlin’s expense.

April 23 An email from the council offers the help of the council contractor and issues a deadline of April 27 for McLaughlin to confirm acceptance. He replies by email the same day accepting the offer.

April 27 The deadline passes.

September 14 McLaughlin receives a letter from the council notifying him that work will soon begin. McLaughlin calls the council to ask why work is proceeding without him. He follows this up with evidence of the April 23 email.

September 17 Slip remediation begins, and is expected to take 4 to 5 weeks.

October 4 The council acknowledges the email was ‘‘missed’’.

October 16 ‘‘At a loss’’, Cooper contacts The Dominion Post.