BY LAND AND SEA
Much still to do as relief efforts reach isolated Coromandel communities
The Coromandel has switched into recovery mode as roads re-open and relief efforts, including essential goods deliveries to isolated communities, are under way following Cyclone Gabrielle.
Waka Kotahi NZTA says further access has been restored to the Coromandel, with trucks able to drive the length of State Highway 25.
“While the cleanup and repair work continues, this is a significant milestone in our efforts to re-open crucial transport lifelines and help the Coromandel back onto its feet,” , Waka Kotahi Waikato system manager Cara Lauder said.
“We are a long way from business as usual but getting SH25 useable again for heavier vehicles will help ensure supplies get through and people needing to tow trailers can move around the peninsula again.
“The communities of the peninsula are rallying to help each other in any way possible.”
New World supermarket in Whitianga has been using its delivery boat Waka Kai to reach isolated areas, to deliver essential goods to communities that have been left without access to grocery stores.
Supermarket owner-operator Kerry Stanley wanted to get Waka Kai on the water as soon as it became safe after the cyclone to check people were okay and to help the resupply.
“Our first day was quite emotional and challenging. We had debris to get through, and were the first people from the ‘outside world’ some of these communities had seen or heard from for four days.”
Stanley introduced the nine-metre vessel in 2019 as a summer offering to help people beat traffic.
“There’s about 500 people who live at Cooks Beach, which is just three kilometres from Whitianga by sea, compared to 35km of road.”
Thames-coromandel District Mayor Len Salt said: “The impact on our roading and infrastructure has been severe”.
“The support needed will be tens of millions [of dollars] in the short term and hundreds of millions in the long-term as we manage the effects of climate change.”
Despite the challenges, he was proud of the people of Coromandel.
Thames-coromandel District Council opened a special mayoral disaster relief fund last week. It provides one-off financial support which can be used to clean debris from properties where people are uninsured or underinsured, to assist people with basic needs, household goods, insurance excess payments, personal items or to assist small businesses impacted by the cyclone.
The amount available to each applicant that meets the criteria is $1000 or $2500. The amount granted will depend on the circumstances of the applicant.
Waka Kotahi said: the remedial work is ongoing on many sections of SH25 and SH2 through the Karangahake Gorge. SH25A Kopu to Hikuai is still closed. With longer term recovery works such as underslip repairs ahead, Coromandel road users should be prepared for disrupted travel for some time.
“There are still small slips, fallen vegetation and slippery surface areas. Driving conditions remain very challenging in many places, with lane restrictions, temporary speed limits and stop-go or other temporary traffic management in place.” Lauder said.
On Tuesday, the Government put in place a Cabinet committee and regional ministerial leads to help coordinate the response to the cyclone. Coromandel’s ministerial lead is Michael Wood and Waikato’s ministerial lead is Nanaia Mahuta.
The closing date for applying to the mayoral disaster relief fund is set for March 10.
If you would like to donate to help the Coromandel communities, the council also has a dedicated bank account: 01-0455-0090620-02.
Use your phone number in the particulars field and ‘Relieffund’ in the reference field.