A gang using a digger (arrowed) clears debris from a
landslip at the scenic Blue Pools, near Makarora. Photo by
Matthew Haggart.
One of the country's top scenic wilderness spots is
undergoing a facelift after a landslip at the Blue Pools, near
Makarora.
The landslip was unintentionally triggered by a group of
contractors, carrying out blasting in the area, during
construction of a new swingbridge and Department of
Conservation walkway.
The Blue Pools, which are ranked number 21 on the AA's New
Zealand 101 must-do list, are just off the Haast highway,
north of Makarora.
A Doc track leading to the popular natural attraction has
been closed for the past two weeks while contractors upgrade
facilities and access into Mount Aspiring National Park.
Contractor Clint O'Brien was part of a crew carrying out the
blasting work on a rock abutment yesterday.
The contractors were working to form a shelf for a new
swingbridge across from the Blue Pools lookout.
The blasting results surprised Doc staff and the contracting
crew.
Doc's Wanaka area manager Paul Hellebrekers said the slip was
unintended, but had been "sitting there" waiting to happen.
About 200cu m of rock and several birch trees came down from
a steep face with the slip.
Mr O'Brien's contracting crew had cleared debris out from the
site and were carrying out stabilising work on the new rock
face.
The slip was evidence of how susceptible the area was to
instability, with the massive landslip in the north branch of
the Young River not very far away, Mr Hellebrekers said.
Cromwell geologist Royden Thomson said the terrain and
vegetation around the rock face precluded any prior
assessment of the hazard and risk.
The Blue Pools are a popular spot for travellers and bus tour
operators, with many visitors taking the chance to swim in
the pristine water and jump from rocks.
Doc are building a new track to connect the Blue Pools with
the Young Valley, about 8km south downstream on the Makarora
River.
"It's fortunate the failure has happened now, rather than as
a natural event after the bridge is completed," Mr Royden
said.
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