Otago waiting to begin big mopup

Any issues with sewage contamination or debris on residential lawns and streets should be reported to the council immediately and it would organise contractors to help.

Power was restored to the Leith Valley yesterday, which also allayed any fears of water supply issues in Waitati and Seacliff.

Many roads within the city’s boundaries were reopened and access to Otago Peninsula was restored. Portobello Rd was cleared by 5pm, and State Highway 88 was also reopened. Late last night 42 Dunedin roads remained closed.

Only residents should be accessing Portobello Rd beyond Portobello.

‘‘A lot has been achieved, but we need to be aware there’s still a lot of surface water, there’s still debris and there’s some roads that are still partially affected by debris and slips, as well,’’ Mr Cull said.

More than 20 slips had been identified around the city, while Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead said there were ‘‘lots’’ affecting rural roads in the wider region.

Work to clear those on arterial roads was a focus for contractors yesterday.

Dunedin City Council chief executive Dr Sue Bidrose warned those heading to work and school today to be aware there would still be widespread debris and damage on roads.

One home in Ravenswood Rd remained evacuated following a large slip and another in Serpentine Ave also remains empty following a slip.

Mr Woodhead said regional council engineers were assessing damage to stopbanks and pump stations across the region as water levels receded.

‘‘This has been a significant event and the secondbiggest on record for the Taieri,’’ Mr Woodhead said.

‘‘With the amount of water it’s going to take days and days for the various systems that are draining and pumping to catch up.’’

Many of the region’s rivers were declining ‘‘almost as quickly as they rose’’.

Federated Farmers was calling for grazing and feed assistance for affected farmers and had received a good response so far, he said.

Dr Bidrose said there was no timeframe for power being restored to properties in Henley, as there was damage to power poles and lines.

Anyone requiring emergency accommodation should contact the city council.

The council would organise a kerbside collection of sandbags in Mosgiel and South Dunedin in the coming days.

Concerns remained that possum carcasses contaminated with 1080 poison were swept downstream and dog owners should exercise dogs on leads at all times while walking along the Silver Stream flood bank track.

Two slips fell on to the Frasers Gully walking track and Second Beach walking track also remained closed due to a slip.

A Dunedin City Council (03) 4774000, Federated Farmers 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646), Otago Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254 or visit www.ruralsupport.org.nz. A The water levels in Christchurch peaked, due to the high tide, just after 5.30pm yesterday.

In a statement, the Christchurch City Council said there had been some ‘‘fresh flooding’’ on the roads around the lower reaches of the Heathcote River.

The flooding was expected to subside ‘‘quite quickly’’ as the tide went out, the statement said.

The council issued an evacuation notice for several streets just after 2pm on Saturday.