Drain no match for return of heavy rain
Flooding at the bottom of Cliff Rd is still happening weeks after it blocked Palmerston North astronomers’ access to their observatory.
Despite attempts to improve drainage, Monday’s heavy rain caused water to pond across the road again. The problems first happened in April, after earthworks during summer at the bottom of the hill near Summerhill Drive affected the drainage.
Astronomical society immediate past president Ian Cooper said the first flooding caused the club to postpone a monthly meeting because members decided it would not be safe to try to drive vehicles through the water in the dark.
It happened again in May, when the city council confirmed the property development was carried out in breach of conditions on a resource consent issued to allow the earthmoving.
Council roading manager Jon Schwass said when adding fill to the site, contractors had also filled in a drain. Council staff assessed how the flooding could be remedied, and a temporary drainage fix was put in place.
Cooper said he was encouraged by the council’s prompt attention after the second event. ‘‘Something was clearly not working.’’
The land beside the road is owned by Higgins Family Holding Properties Ltd, and was being considered for possible subdivision and housing.
Schwass said the council was encouraging the developer to put in a more permanent fix, within the constraints of what it could oblige people to do on privately owned land.