Concern as ‘no wriggle room left’ for Bluecliffs residents
A resident of an erosion-threatened Southland community is feeling let down after emergency management failed to finish planned work.
The coastal settlement of Bluecliffs has been under a state of emergency since February 8, following heavy rain and swells that accelerated damage in the area.
Late last week, Emergency Management Southland contractors aimed to realign the river that backs on to properties, hoping it would slow down the erosion.
But resident Rex Rowe said the plan hadn’t been followed through in full, which was “a bit of a letdown”.
“It is important that this is opened, very important. Because we’re leading into autumn soon, so naturally, the river flow is going to be higher,” he said. “There’s no wriggle room left.” Rowe said the river – which runs adjacent to the sea – was “extremely close” to the back of the properties.
Another flood would be bad news for the community, and people wanted answers, he said. “It’s crucial to all residents down here at the moment.”
The situation at Bluecliffs is being monitored by a number of parties including Emergency Management Southland, Environment Southland (the regional council) and Southland District Council.
Southland mayor Rob Scott previously told media he was disappointed that emergency management had indicated that the job was complete late last week, when that wasn’t the case.
On Tuesday, Scott told Local Democracy Reporting he had caught up with Environment Southland and confirmed that more work would be done.
“We don’t have any answers yet in terms of what the next steps are, but the fact that it’s being addressed and they’re looking into it is a good start.
“I stand by what I said in the weekend, because it was a reflection of the situation. The release that went out late last week saying it was done ... it’s not done when the river’s still flowing past the houses.”
Scott said the work already done had been completed over a couple of weeks while the river was at a low level.
“Of course. everyone, and myself included, was getting very hopeful that there was going to be a light at the end of the tunnel late last week.”
Civil Defence controller Simon Mapp said on Monday that Emergency Management Southland, Southland District Council and Environment Southland would regroup this week to work out the next steps in opening the bar.
They would also discuss how to remove material from an exposed community landfill next to the river, which had been granted $1.35 million from Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds.
Bluecliffs is home to about 18 properties, although only six house permanent residents.