Legacy of storm repairs continues
Tararua Alliance continues work weeks after rain
Severe weather in late March has left a legacy of challenges facing the Tararua Alliance in terms of infrastructure. The rain had an impact right around the district with huge volumes reaching the rivers in both the Ruahines and the eastern ranges.
Between March 21 and March 28, 210mls on the edge of the Tamaki Reserve were recorded, mostly in the last three of those days, while out on the coast volumes of up to 300mls were reported.
In the centre, rain was less with Dannevirke recording 80mls on March 24 and a further 40mls the next day. While flooding was minor, the Tapuata west of Dannevirke was higher than for a long time and of course the Tamaki – the source of Dannevirke’s water – was a raging torrent flowing at 63,000 litres per second at its peak.
This created turbidity levels of 90 more than 15 times more than normal, but after shutting down the intake, town demand necessitated it being reopened and the council was forced to order a boil water notice which was lifted only on Friday, April 1.
TDC Infrastructure group manager, Chris Chapman, says pumping the water from the leak back into the impounded supply is a temporary fix
but long-term solutions like a bore, a second reservoir and a better water treatment plant are costs beyond the affordability of the ratepayer at present.
Meanwhile, turbid water is the least of the issues facing the rest of Tararua with the torrential rain causing major roading problems.
On March 26, Makairo Rd East, Makuri Domain Rd, Waihoki Valley Rd and Coast Rd were closed and Birch, Mangahei, Mangaone River Rds with three parts of Route 52 were down to one lane.
A report on March 27 said about its immediate response:
“Tararua Alliance and supporting contractors have been out overnight inspecting and working on resolving issues. Repairs, clean-up and assessments continue. Our crews are working hard to make the roads as safe as possible until they can be repaired. Some roads have experienced ‘scouring’ which has caused dropouts, landslides and fallen trees. While some roads have had to be closed our focus is on maintaining access — in some places this is only
Our crews are working hard to make the roads as safe as possible.
possible by keeping single lanes open.”
Chapman reported that between six and 12 crews were working at any given time during that weekend.
A week on the Tararua Alliance reports:
“Following the immediate response to the weather impacts on rural roads, inspections of roads and structures have been completed.
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This identified and recorded areas of damage and additional clean-up requirements, to enable the full quantum of damage to be understood.
“Sites will be prioritised and depending on their complexity, will be actioned and/or costed for an emergency works funding application to be submitted to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport.
“Approximately 60 per cent of slips and fallen trees have now been cleared, with crews continuing to progress the rest.
Through the Tararua Alliance, Downer and local contractors are working hard to make sure roads are safe and accessible for our community.
“At least two high priority sites are quite complex and will require further geotechnical investigation and engineering design to ensure repair are effective.
“These are on River Rd near Akitio, where high river levels scoured a section of the road, and on Coast Rd where a large dropout has formed temporarily closing the road.”