Clean-up to cost mega bucks
The repair bill for roads in the Manawatu¯ district has stretched to $4.5 million over two years as frequent storms continue to lash the region.
Roads were again busted and broken during a snowstorm in June, with the damage estimated to cost the Manawatu¯ District Council $1m. It comes after last year’s July snowstorm that caused $3.5m worth of destruction.
Councillors voted last week to borrow the council’s share of $430,000, a move not supported by Cr Stuart Campbell. The New Zealand Transport Agency will contribute the remaining $640,000.
Roading manager John Jones said drainage systems in northern Manawatu¯ were out of date, but improvements would ensure they were more resilient.
‘‘The network drainage is designed for a [significant storm] every 20 years, but we’re now getting them every second Tuesday.’’
Asset management team leader Darryn Black said there was pressure on the council to improve the rural road network.
But Campbell was hesitant to dip into the reserves again, less than 12 months after officials were forced to borrow nearly $1.7m to fix more than 30 of the district’s torn up and scarred roads.
Instead of lending money, he believed the council should have turned to its reserve fund, established during the 2018-2028 Longterm Plan to provide emergency repairs during extreme weather events.
Councillors decided to set aside $430,000 earlier this year, but opted to borrow instead.
‘‘I can’t accept borrowing for the repair of roads that could be damaged by the same event next year,’’ Campbell said.
‘‘I’d rather utilise this year’s resilience fund and cross our fingers we’re not affected by the same event next year.’’
Cr Alison Short said it was lucky the storm was isolated to the northeastern side of the district.
Some parts recorded more than 200 millilitres of rain in less than 24 hours and noted similar river levels to the 2004 flood, she said.
‘‘The network drainage is designed for a [significant storm] every 20 years, but we’re now getting them every second Tuesday.’’ John Jones